The doctor of the Pakistan cricket team and head of medical department of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr Sohail Saleem has tendered his resignation to the PCB chairman, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Saturday.

According to the reports, Dr Sohail has resigned after facing severe criticism from PSL franchises owners over the postponement of the sixth edition of the league.

The PCB has also initiated an inquiry into the reason behind the spread of coronavirus in the biosecurity bubble during the PSL that led to its postponement.

Dr Sohail has given a notice period of one month to the PCB and would cooperate with the PCB for its inquiry into the matter.

Dr Sohail was working as Director –Medical and Sports Sciences in the PCB and has been appointed as Pakistan team’s doctor for the Asia Cup and World Twenty20.

Dr Sohail said he had already told the PCB about his resignation ahead of the World Twenty20.

Dr Sohail is a graduate from the King Edward Medical University, Lahore, hold a Diplomate in Sports Medicine from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and is a certified team physician from the American College of Sports Medicine and National Sports Medicine Institute, United Kingdom.

He joined the PCB in 2000 and has twice been a member of the ICC Medical Advisory Committee, and Asian Cricket Council and Anti-Doping Organisation of Pakistan, and presently is the PCB’s Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee. Dr Sohail has worked with Pakistan’s various age-group, men’s and women’s sides as a sports physician.

Franchise owners take PCB to task

During an emergency meeting, the PSL franchise owners held the PCB responsible for the postponement of the event.

According to the sources, the PSL franchises criticized the PCB over insufficient arrangements for the biosecure bubble.

One owner said during the preparation of the PSL anthem and video shoot in Turkey, the PCB spent a huge amount without taking the franchises into confidence and failed to make proper arrangements for the PSL.

“Now show your groove,” fumed the owner and said the marriage ceremonies were being held in the team’s hotel but the PCB failed to take the notice and if the PCB could have booked one whole hotel for the teams, they would not have to face such a situation.

Another owner said they had predicted in November that the bio bubble in Pakistan would have discrepancies and the PCB should hold the event in Dubai instead but no one listens to them.