Shoaib Wants Board to Fund Surgery, PCB Reluctant

Karachi: Controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar continues to irk Pakistan Cricket Board and the pacer now wants a reluctant PCB to fund his knee surgery.

The PCB has in fact refused to bear the expenses for the surgery that Shoaib plans to have next week in England under the supervision of noted orthopedic surgeon Andy Williams.

"Shoaib had sent a copy of the medial recommendation which says he requires surgery for a chronic knee problem to the board. He wanted the board to pay for his expenses," a reliable PCB source said.

"But PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt has so far not taken any decision on the report sent by Shoaib," he added.

Apparently two weeks have passed since Shoaib sent his report and the pacer has become so frustrated that he has decided to bear the expenses himself for the time before the matter was resolved.

"He will leave for England soon to have the surgery on October 8 in Chelsea," a close friend of the pacer confirmed.

PCB General Manager (Media) Ghulam Sarwar, meanwhile, explained why the Board could not bear the expenses.

"His contract states that he can only be provided treatment on board expenses if he is injured while playing for the country," Sarwar said.

"Shoaib has not played for Pakistan for a while, so our medical policy does not cover him. The medical policy coverage for players is when they are playing at home or abroad for Pakistan," he said.