PCB plans overhaul of medical department: report

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to overhaul its medical and sports medicine department following the resignation of Dr. Sohail Saleem, the former head of the sector, according to a media report by a local news channel.

An advertisement will soon be published to find a new department head, and a committee will be formed to oversee the selection process. Sources indicate that an assistant professor will temporarily take charge of the department.

Dr. Saleem resigned recently after the PCB's medical committee identified shortcomings in the treatment of an injury sustained by Pakistan fast bowler Ihsanullah. This marks Dr. Saleem’s second resignation from this role; he previously stepped down in 2021 due to dissatisfaction with the arrangements for PSL 6 under the leadership of Ehsan Mani, particularly after multiple Covid-19 cases emerged during the event in Karachi.

It is worth noting that the issue with Ihsanullah came to light when the Multan Sultans, a Pakistan Super League (PSL) team, sent him back to London citing insufficient medical care. In response, the PCB chief formed a medical committee comprising Prof. Rana Dilawaiz Nadeem, Dr. Mumraiz Naqshband, and Prof. Javed Akram to investigate the mishandling of Ihsanullah's injury. The findings were submitted to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The committee's report concluded that Ihsanullah’s right elbow pain was not properly addressed, treated, or operated on. There were delays in clinical diagnosis and investigations, and he did not undergo the necessary rehabilitation process for his condition.
Chairman Naqvi, dissatisfied with the department’s performance, is now preparing a strategy to modernize its operations.