Follow UsA bizarre incident took place during the third and final ODI of the three-match series between New Zealand and Pakistan, where Imam-Ul-Haq was hit on the helmet while batting, even though he was not on strike. A first-of-its-kind incident, the drama unfolded in the third over of the Pakistan chase.
Running a quick single off the bowling of William O’Rourke, Imam was bending to ground his bat at the non-striker’s end when the short covers folder took aim for a direct hit and hit. The ball hit Imam on the helmet and then went inside the protective grill.
After the ball was removed, Imam was seen in visible pain and had to be carried off the ground in a battery-operated stretcher. On the stretcher, too, the southpaw was seen holding his face in a grimace.
Babar Azam then replaced Imam, who had retired hurt and did not come back to bat. In the end, Pakistan, chasing a target of 465, fell short by 43 runs and lost the third game as well. They were clean-swept by the Kiwis in the ODIs 0-3 after having lost the T20Is 1-4.