Pakistan Star Imam Ul Haq Sustains Severe Jaw Injury During 3rd ODI Against NZ. Watch the Incident.
Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq Suffers Injury in ODI Match Against New Zealand
In a dramatic turn of events during the third ODI match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, Pakistan faced a major setback when their star opener, Imam-ul-Haq, suffered a serious injury. The incident occurred during the chase after New Zealand had posted a total of 264/8, with skipper Michael Bracewell and Rhys Mariu leading the charge with scores of 59 and 58 runs respectively. Pakistan’s Akif Javed put up a stellar bowling performance, taking four crucial wickets.
The Injury Incident
Imam-ul-Haq’s injury took place in the 3rd over of Pakistan’s innings when he played a shot off William O’Rourke and attempted to complete a run. Unfortunately, a fielder’s throw struck him on the left jaw and got lodged into his helmet, causing him to fall to the ground in visible pain. The team physio quickly attended to him and determined that he was unfit to continue playing.
Imam-ul-Haq’s Replacement and Medical Assessment
Imam-ul-Haq was subsequently carried off the field in a buggy ambulance, and Pakistan’s Usman Khan was brought in as his replacement for the remainder of the match. A medical assessment later confirmed that Imam had suffered a concussion and would not be able to participate further in the game. As per ICC regulations, a like-for-like concussion substitute can be named in such situations, leading to Usman Khan being officially designated as Imam’s replacement.
Usman Khan’s Performance
Usman Khan, who had previously impressed with a quick cameo in the series opener but missed the second game due to a hamstring issue, returned to the field as Imam’s replacement. However, he failed to make a significant impact, being dismissed for just 12 runs by New Zealand pacer Mohammad Abbas.
Concussion Concerns in Pakistani Team
This incident marked the second consecutive ODI in which a Pakistani player suffered a concussion, with Naseem Shah having replaced Haris Rauf in the previous match after the latter was hit on the helmet while batting. The team management and medical staff will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on the players’ well-being and ensuring proper protocols are followed regarding player safety.
In conclusion, Imam-ul-Haq’s injury serves as a stark reminder of the physical risks involved in the game of cricket, highlighting the importance of player safety and the need for prompt medical attention in such situations. Pakistan will now regroup and focus on the remaining matches, hoping for a swift recovery for Imam-ul-Haq and a strong performance from the team in the upcoming games.