PCB Blamed for Rachin Ravindra’s Injury, Fans Call for Champions Trophy to Be Shifted
February 10, 2025: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced heavy criticism on Sunday after New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra suffered a forehead laceration during the first ODI of the tri-series against Pakistan in Lahore. The freak injury, caused by poor visibility under floodlights, led to significant bleeding, forcing Ravindra to leave the field immediately.
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The injury occurred in the 37th over of Pakistan’s innings when Ravindra attempted to take a catch off Khushdil Shah’s slog-sweep toward deep square leg. The ball, traveling flat, was lost amidst the brightness of the LED floodlights and struck Ravindra on the forehead.
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Spectators watched in stunned silence as Ravindra, dazed and bleeding, knelt on the ground. Medical teams from both New Zealand and Pakistan rushed to his aid. Ravindra was treated on the field before being escorted out, his face covered in a towel. He received a warm round of applause from the packed Gaddafi Stadium as he left.
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The incident triggered outrage on social media, with fans and analysts blaming PCB’s inadequate hosting infrastructure. Many pointed fingers at the LED lights in the stadium, which former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif described as problematic. “The glow in these lights is higher, and when the ball travels flat, players often lose sight of it,” Latif explained during his show, Caught Behind.
Critics also called for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider Pakistan as the host for the upcoming Champions Trophy, suggesting the tournament be shifted to Dubai.
New Zealand Cricket assured fans that Ravindra is “well” and will be monitored under HIA (Head Injury Assessment) protocols before their next game against South Africa on Monday. A statement confirmed that the forehead laceration was treated at the ground.
While Ravindra’s injury was not life-threatening, it has reignited debates about the safety standards at international cricket venues. With the Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan, the PCB may face increased scrutiny to address infrastructure issues and improve safety measures.
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