'How can you even think PCB can disown him?'- Ramiz Raja rubbishes Shahid Afridi's claims on Shaheen Afridi's knee treatment

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has given a befitting reply to former skipper Shahid Afridi who had claimed the ace pacer Shaheen Afridi is paying money out of his own pocket for his food, accommodation and other expenses in London where he is undergoing a knee treatment.

Rubbishing the claims, Raja has said that it is nothing but an ‘unfortunate controversy’. The good news for Pakistan and the cricket fans of the country is that Shaheen has been included in the 15-member T20 World Cup squad.

There must have been some issue with regard to his accommodation or hotel room: Ramiz Raja

“How can you even think that PCB can disown Shaheen Afridi? It is beyond my understanding. It’s an unfortunate controversy. When Mohammad Rizwan fell ill during the T20 World Cup last year, our doctors panel went out of their way to ensure he played the final. Players are the most important stakeholders for us”, said Raja while answering a fan’s question on PCB’s official YouTube channel.

“There must have been some issue with regard to his accommodation or hotel room, but we have definitely not left Shaheen in the lurch,” he added.

Shaheen was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 due to a knee injury after having played continuous cricket in the last few months, including the County Championships where he represented Middlesex.

Pakistan had a mixed campaign en route to the final. Their fast bowling was impressive throughout the tournament, but it was their inconsistent middle-order that turned out to be their biggest weakness, which was badly exposed in the final where they went down by 23 runs to Sri Lanka despite Mohammad Rizwan’s half-century.

The Men In Green were bowled out thrice in that tournament and were on the brink of a humiliating defeat against Afghanistan chasing 130 before tail-ender Naseem Shah bailed them out with two sixes in the final over.