New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra suffered a head injury during the tri-nation series match against Pakistan on Saturday after losing sight of the ball under floodlights. Trying to catch in the 38th over, Ravindra misjudged the ball, which slipped through his hands and hit his forehead, causing bleeding. The Kiwi all-rounder was immediately taken off the field for medical attention.
Following the incidence, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) received wide criticism over the lighting conditions in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif highlighted how his team had to endure excessive LED lights glare, making it difficult for their fielders to spot the ball. Latif told journalist Dr. Nauman Niaz that “the LED lights have more glare, and sometimes it becomes hard to spot the ball when it is coming flat at you.” Experts also opined that improper adjustments in the lighting at the stadium had contributed to the misjudgment of Ravindra.
NZC Issues Statement on Ravindra’s Condition
According to an official NZC statement, Ravindra suffered a forehead gash. “Ravindra was taken out of the game after being hit on the forehead in a rash attempt to take a catch. His wound has been attended to on field and he has passed his first Head Injury Assessment successfully and will continue to be under HIA protocols,” the statement read.
The injury concern is mounting for New Zealand with the pacer Lockie Ferguson having already picked a hamstring during the ILT20 tournament in the UAE.
Heroics by Glenn Phillips Sees NZ win by 78 runs
Even with Ravindra’s bad luck, New Zealand bashed Pakistan in the ODI Tri-Series opener as they won with an easy margin of 78 runs.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand found themselves struggling at 39/2 before captain Kane Williamson (58 off 89 balls, 7 fours) and Daryl Mitchell (81 off 84 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes) steadied the innings. However, it was Glenn Phillips who stole the show with a breathtaking knock of 106* in just 74 balls, smashing six fours and seven sixes. His explosive innings took New Zealand to a dominating total of 330/6 in 50 overs.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 3/88 while Abrar Ahmed took 2/41.
Pakistan’s Run Chase:
Pakistan began their chase with a bit of aggression by Fakhar Zaman, who smashed 84 from 69 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes), but after his dismissal, the middle order began to crumble, leaving Pakistan at 119/4. Salman Agha (40 off 51 balls) and Tayyab Tahir (30 off 29 balls) added 53 runs, which was not enough to stop a collapse.
Eventually, Pakistan got bowled out for 252 in 47.5 overs handing New Zealand an easy win.
NZ Bowling Main Performers:
Mitchell Santner: 3/41
Matt Henry: 3/53
Michael Bracewell: 2/41
With New Zealand dominating the beginning of the series, Pakistan need to reassess and worry about the playing conditions at Gaddafi Stadium after the injury of Rachin Ravindra at this venue, hence increasing fears about PCB infrastructure at their stadiums.
The two teams will now enter some preparation ahead for their next matches in the Tri-Series as they continue to build up to the ICC Champions Trophy later this year.
