Pakistan seamer Hasan Ali was stretchered off in Sylhet after sustaining a head injury while bowling.
Hasan Ali stretchered off after head injury vs Bangladesh
In the eighth over of the morning session on day one of the second Test between the sides, the penultimate ball stopped a touch on Bangladesh debutant opener Tanzid Hasan, and the ball popped up at catchable height for Hasan in his follow-through.
He stretched his right hand out and dived, even as the ball evaded him and went down to mid-on. As Hasan hit the ground though, he landed on his arm, before his head also hit the turf. He stayed down for a few seconds, clutching the right side of his head.
The bowler remained hunched over on the pitch even as Pakistan's medical team rushed onto the field, and a stretcher was promptly wheeled out. After a few questions from the physio, Hasan got to his feet with support from the medical staff before being loaded onto the stretcher. As he was wheeled off, he pinched his nose and rubbed his temples.
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According to Article 1.2.7.1.1 of the World Test Championship Playing Conditions, Pakistan are eligible to replace a concussion substitute if Hasan is deemed to have suffered one as a result of this injury, since it occurred on the field of play.
Article 1.2.7.3 states, "The ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match."
If Hasan does indeed need to be replaced, Shaheen Shah Afridi would perhaps be the closest like-for-like replacement. The other bowler on Pakistan's bench is left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
Shaheen and Noman, as well as opening batter Imam-ul-Haq were the three players dropped by Pakistan from the first Test, with Khurram Shahzad, Sajid Khan and Babar Azam coming into the side. Bangladesh also made two changes as they were put in to bat; Tanzid and Shoriful Islam came in for the injured Shadman Islam and Ebadot Hossain respectively.
Update: Hasan Ali returned to the field and continued bowling in the 21st over of the innings, shortly before lunch.
Image credit: Fancode
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