Wasim Akram, former captain of Pakistan, has responded to Shahid Afridi‘s claim that pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is paying for his own treatment and lodging in England with his own money. If this is true, according to Akram, it is startling because Shaheen Afridi is a star player and a “box-office draw.”

He added that it would be extremely unjust if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) neglected to take care of its elite players.

“If this is true, this is really shocking. He is one of our top players, he is box-office. If PCB do not look after this kid, and if this is true (what Shahid Afridi said), then it is unfair. He should have straightaway been sent to the best knee surgeon in the world. But he is looking after all this himself, I am still shocked about it,”

Akram said in an interview with ARY News.

“He has flown out to the UK on his own ticket, he is staying there on his own money, I arranged a doctor for him there, he contacted him there, the PCB is not doing anything in all this. As far as I know he is doing everything about staying there and coordination with doctors.”

He said earlier, while speaking to Pakistan’s Samaa TV

Late Thursday night, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) clarified that it would always be in charge of setting up medical care for all of its players.

“The PCB is also pleased to advise and update that Shaheen Shah Afridi is making excellent progress in his rehabilitation in London and is on track to make a full recovery in time for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022,”

the PCB said in an official statement.

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“It goes without saying that the PCB has always been and will continue to be responsible for arranging medical care and rehabilitation of all its players requiring any treatment,”

it added.

As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, after Shahid Afridi’s comments, PCB contacted Shaheen to reassure him that the expenses would be reimbursed.