Rachin Ravindra had to be escorted out of the field after a nasty blow to his face left him bleeding during the first ODI of the tri-series against Pakistan on Saturday (February 8).
The incident occurred during the third ball of the 38th over of Pakistan’s innings when Khushdil Shah slogged a length ball towards deep square leg, where Ravindra was stationed. In attempting to take the catch, he seemed to lose sight of it amidst the floodlights, and the ball hit him flush in the face. Ravindra was seen bleeding, with the commentators suggesting the ball had hit him on the eyebrow.
According to visuals, Ravindra was unmoved for a minute, with ESPNCricinfo reporter Danyal Rasool tweeting that a stretcher was brought on for him. However, Ravindra soon got back up on his feet, also helped by the Pakistan physio. A towel and an ice pack covered his face as he was walking back to the pavilion.
The extent of his injury is not known yet. It is the second injury in the game after Haris Rauf had walked off mid-over in the first innings due to a side strain. Earlier in the day, Lockie Ferguson’s Champions Trophy participation was also put on hold after he suffered a hamstring injury in the ILT20.
New Zealand posted 330-6 in the first innings, with Ravindra making 25 in 19. Glenn Phillips struck a sensational 74-ball 106* before Pakistan lost their first five wickets for 172.
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