Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cricketer Zubair Ahmed has died after being hit by a bouncer on the head during a match in Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Zubair had played four games for Quetta Bears. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took to social media to inform people of the sad demise and remind players the need to wear a helmet at all times at the batting crease. The message on PCB’s Twitter account read: “Tragic death of Zubair is another reminder that safety gear i.e. helmet must be worn at all times. Our sympathies with Zubair’s family.” The tweet indicates that Zubair was not wearing a helmet at the time the bouncer struck him – a grim reminder of the dangers of playing the game without protective gear. Former Australian cricketer and Islamabad United coach Dean Jones also expressed sadness at the incident. “Its so sad to hear young cricketer Zubair died in Mardan after cricket ball hit on his head during a match. Condolences to his family.”

A focus on player safety has been heightened since the tragic death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes. Hughes, who played 26 Tests, died from bleeding on the brain in November 2014 after being hit on the base of the skull by a rising ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a domestic match. Australian vice-captain David Warner retired hurt when he was struck in the neck by a bouncer from Josh Hazlewood during a warm-up match.

The opener was hit by a Hazelwood delivery in a chilling blow on Tuesday and Warner dropped to his knees and let go of his bat, with captain Steve Smith rushing from slips to check on his deputy. Appearing shaken, Warner removed his helmet and immediately walked off the field leaving his bat behind. Cricket Australia’s news site cricket.com.au said the fiery left-hander had passed a concussion test and would be available for the tour of Bangladesh, but would sit out the rest of the intra-squad match in Darwin, Australia’s Northern Territory.

Published in Daily Times, August 17^th 2017.