New Zealand cricketer hit on the head during an ODI against Pakistan; divided opinions on blame
February 11, 2025: Lahore:
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra suffered a serious head injury during an ODI match against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, after failing to spot the ball due to glare from the floodlights. The incident, which left him bloodied on the field, has sparked heated debates ahead of the Champions Trophy, with opinions divided on whether the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is to blame for poor stadium infrastructure.
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Pakistan’s Response: Blame or Oversight?
While some former cricketers and experts have raised concerns over the placement of LED floodlights at the venue, others dismissed the issue, blaming Rachin’s misjudgment for the accident.
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Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt dismissed concerns over the floodlights, defending the PCB’s infrastructure and criticizing New Zealand’s reaction.
“These are the latest LED lights, they are fine. When New Zealand players hit sixes off deliveries at 150 kph, were the lights not working then? A player standing 70 meters away failed to take a catch because of his misjudgment,” Butt said on a local news channel.
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A Pakistani news anchor echoed Butt’s sentiments, pointing out a floodlight failure during the India vs England ODI at Barabati Stadium, questioning why Pakistan is being singled out for infrastructure concerns.
“People claim Pakistan can’t host the Champions Trophy due to stadium issues, but what about what happened in Barabati Stadium? Just because Rachin was hit in the face doesn’t mean PCB is to blame,” the anchor argued.
Concerns Over PCB’s Readiness for Champions Trophy
While some dismissed the issue, others, including former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed, expressed serious doubts about Pakistan’s ability to host a major ICC event.
“We don’t even have the money. Whatever is done to maintain the stadiums comes from state associations,” Ahmed said, hinting at the PCB’s financial struggles in maintaining cricket infrastructure.
Pakistan legend Hanif Mohammad’s son, Shoaib Mohammad, raised an interesting observation, noting that New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell also struggled with visibility under the lights before Rachin’s injury.
“Before the Rachin Ravindra incident, I noticed that even Daryl Mitchell had trouble spotting the ball while fielding. His expressions showed discomfort when he took a catch. If he faced the same issue, something is wrong,” he said.
Shoaib further pointed out a possible flaw in floodlight positioning, suggesting glare issues could be causing fielders to lose sight of the ball.
“The placement of the floodlights is a technical issue. Rachin was at deep square leg, and the light was directly in front of him. That is not the usual placement in a stadium. This glare issue needs to be addressed,” he added.
What’s Next?
With the Champions Trophy approaching, questions are mounting over whether Pakistan’s stadium infrastructure is suitable for hosting such a high-profile event. While some dismiss the concerns, others argue that technical improvements are needed to ensure player safety.
For now, Rachin Ravindra’s injury has put the spotlight on Pakistan’s stadium conditions, and it remains to be seen if the ICC will step in to assess the situation before the tournament begins.
Tags:
Rachin Ravindra injury, Pakistan stadium controversy, Lahore floodlight issue, Salman Butt comments, Champions Trophy 2025, PCB under fire, Gaddafi Stadium infrastructure, cricket safety concerns, Pakistan cricket debate, ICC venue assessment