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Pakistan batter Imam-ul-Haq was injured in freak accident after a throw resulted in the ball lodging inside his helmet during the 3rd ODI against New Zealand.
Imam-ul-Haq being taken off the field after the freak accident. (AFP Photo)
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has reportedly been rushed to the hospital after being injured during the third ODI against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Saturday. Imam was running between the wickets when a throw aimed at the non-striker’s end resulted in the ball lodging inside the batter’s helmet.
Following the blow, Imam immediately took his helmet off and was seen holding his jaw as the medical team rushed to the field to tend to him.
He was subsequently taken off the field in a buggy ambulance.
The incident happened during the third over when Imam was rushing towards the bowler’s end for a quick single. However, a throw came in and the ball got lodged inside the batter’s helmet.
Imam immediately dropped his bat and struggled to get the helmet off his face. He fell to his knee and was seen holding the left side of his jaw, visibly uncomfortable.
As per stuff.co.nz, the Pakistani was diagnosed with concussion and sent to hospital for scans to check if he has a broken jaw. The 29-year-old retired hurt and was replaced by former Pakistan captain Babar Azam in the middle.
New Zealand batted first in the dead rubber which was curtailed to 42-over-a-side affair due to wet outfield. Half-centuries from captain Michael Bracewell and opener Rhys Mariu propelled the home team to 264/8.
For Pakistan, Akif Javed took 4/62 while Naseem Shah chipped in with 2/54.
In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 221 with New Zealand clinching a 43-run win. Babar top-scored for the tourists with 50 off 58 while Bean Sears took a five-wicket haul.
With that, the Kiwis completed a 3-0 clean sweep of the ODI series. Pakistan thus ended their white-ball tour of New Zealand managing to win just one of their nine fixtures.
New Zealand had earlier beaten Pakistan 4-1 in a five-match T20I series.
