Ever since the bouncer, that struck Phil Hughes’ neck, proved to be fatal, any incident of a batsman being hit by a bouncer brings chills to the players around.
Ever since the bouncer, that struck Phil Hughes’ neck, proved to be fatal, any incident of a batsman being hit by a bouncer brings chills to the players around.
One such incident took place during the second One-Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and New Zealand at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Batting first, New Zealand were restricted at 209 runs in 50 overs and in reply, Pakistan sealed the match with a seven-wicket victory and squared the series 1-1 forcing the final match to be played as a decider.
However, Pakistan’s win was overshadowed by a massive injury scare as their opener Imam-Ul-Haq was struck by a ferocious bouncer on the head during their chase. Although, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later revealed that there was no damage seen in the scan reports but it is still unclear if he’ll play the final game or not.
The spectacles-wearing Imam was batting on 16 when he was forced to retire after a short delivery from fast bowler Lockie Ferguson hit the grid of his helmet, making him dizzy before he fell to the ground.
He was immediately sent to a hospital for CT scans and the team management said they would monitor him for the next 48 hours.
But PCB later said that "Imam-ul-Haq all scans clear. He joined the team and will remain under observation of Team Physio".
Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik also allayed fears of a serious injury by posting a picture with Imam-ul-Haq.
On the pitch, pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi recorded his career-best bowling while opener Fakhar
Zaman hit a half-century to help Pakistan to a series-levelling victory.
Shaheen's 4-38 kept New Zealand down to 209-9 in their 50 overs before Zaman returned to form with a run-a-ball 88 for his seventh fifty to guide Pakistan to their target for the loss of four wickets in 40.3 overs. Veteran batsman Ross Taylor top-scored for New Zealand with a laborious 120-ball 86 not out and added 75 for the fifth wicket with Henry Nicholls, who made a gruelling 33 off 63 balls.
With the win Pakistan broke a four-year losing streak of 12 consecutive one-day internationals against the Black Caps, starting with a 3-2 defeat in the UAE in 2014.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Pakistan vs New Zealand 2018")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}