Shadab Khan left the field due an injury three balls into South Africa’s run-chase at the MA Chidamabaram Stadium in Chennai today (October 27).
Pakistan’s World Cup campaign took another blow when vice-captain Shadab Khan suffered a serious injury on the third ball of South Africa’s innings in Chennai and had to leave the field.
Pakistan fielded a total of 270 competitive players and went into the match with the intention of making a difference. Unlike Shaheen Afridi, who usually gets the honors for Pakistan, Iftikhar Ahmed took the top spot. In fact, this is the first time since 2019 that Afridi did not bowl in the first over of his ODI.
It was not a good start for Pakistan as the first ball from Iftikhar was shot down the leg side and resulted in five mistakes. Two balls later, Themba’s Bavuma pushed the ball into the middle from behind and Shadab was there, so this was a sign of things to come.
In an attempt to dislodge Babuma, Shadab attacked the ball and threw it to the non-striker’s side, who lost his balance and landed awkwardly on Babma’s shoulder. When his shoulders hit the ground, his head seemed to sink into the grass as well. His injuries were so severe that physical therapists rushed in on a stretcher. However, to the relief of Pakistan fans, Shadab stood up moments later and cautiously left the pitch with several people by his side.
The exact nature and extent of the injuries are not yet clear.
More to follow…
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