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During the first ODI of the tri-series, New Zealand star Rachin Ravindra suffered a serious injury after the ball struck his face in the field while attempting a catch of Pakistan’s Khushdil Shah. The 25-year-old had to leave the field while bleeding from his face, and in its aftermath, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for incorrect adjustment of the LED lights at the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which caused the unfortunate incident.
Notably, after New Zealand set a formidable target of 331 runs for Pakistan to chase down on the back of a scintillating hundred from Glenn Phillips, the hosts were never quite in the run chase. But, in the 38th over of their innings, Khusdil Shah middled a sweep shot towards the deep square leg region on Michael Bracewell’s bowling, and his attempt to catch the ball, Rachin Ravindra lost it in the floodlights, which led to him getting hurt.
Following a 78-run win for New Zealand in the first ODI of the tri-series against Pakistan, the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) released a statement about their player’s injury, which read, “Ravindra sustained a laceration to the forehead which has been addressed and treated at the ground, but is otherwise well. He came through his first HIA well and will continue to be monitored under HIA process.”
Meanwhile, Rashid Latif, during a YouTube show called “Caught Behind” with Dr Nauman Niaz, called out the PCB for their inability to get the floodlights in order for the ongoing tri-series ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He was quoted as saying, as per Sports Tak, “There is an issue in the LED light. It has more glare and sometimes it is hard to spot the ball when it is coming flat to you.”
Moreover, the second ODI of the tri-series will be a day game involving New Zealand and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday, February 10.
