Veteran Afghanistan batter Najibullah Zadran was the victim of a fiery ball during Pakistan's 66-run victory over Afghanistan in Sharjah on Monday (March 27) night.
It was the 11th over of the second innings, and Pakistan were in control after they managed to get the dangerous Mohammad Nabi run out. Najibullah has just walked to the crease, having led his team to victory in the second T20I, and the series, the night before.
Ihsanullah, who had already taken the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, decided to stun the Afghan batter with a short ball bouncer at a very fast pacer. It was something Najibullah seemed to be least expecting as the ball flew past his bat, and his gloves and straight onto the grilles of his helmet.
See the video here:
They all reconciled after the match, as was shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board's social media team.
The bouncer came to Najibullah quickly and rattled him deeply. The injury was quite severe as replays showed how dangerous the ball was. Najibullah was lucky that the ball hit his glove first, softening the pace of the delivery a little before it hit his helmet. It seemed like a dangerous ball as the fielders came to check up on the batter.
Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris rushed to the aid of Najibullah and helped the left-handed batter take off the helmet. He was bleeding down his neck from his lower jaw and had to leave the field immediately. Even the support staff in the stand were left stunned by the ferocity of the ball.
This effectively ended Afghanistan's batting attack, with the lower order succumbing to Ihsanullah and Shadab. Rashid Khan's 16 off 14 and Azmatullah Omarzai's 21 off 20 went in vain as the Pakistani bowlers dismissed their rivals for 116 runs.
Najibullah did not need to return to the field as the match was a dead rubber. In fact, it was a complete all-round performance by Pakistan, who first scored 182 runs and then restricted the Afghans to 116 to ensure the series finished 2-1.
This will prove little consolation for the Pakistani second-string side, who lost the first two T20Is to Afghanistan by six and seven wickets respectively.
READ ALSO:
Watch: Chepauk roars in unison as chants of Dhoni engulfs Chennai after 'Thala' walks out to bat; video breaks internet
Strike rate is overrated in T20 cricket? Simon Doull and ex-Pakistan star indulge in heated exchange on air over Babar Azam; watch video
