Sarfaraz Ahmed Injury Update, What Happened to Sarfaraz Ahmed?
by Naveenkumar
Updated Jul 27, 2023
Sarfaraz Ahmed Injury Update
In the ongoing second Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed suffered a concussion and had to be replaced by Mohammad Rizwan as a concussion substitute. The incident occurred on the very first ball he faced in the 81st over of Pakistan's first innings when he was hit on the helmet by a delivery from Asitha Fernando on Day 3 of the Test match.
Initially, Sarfaraz seemed fine during the first concussion check, but after the 86th over, he appeared uncomfortable and had a prolonged discussion with the physio before deciding to leave the field. As a precautionary measure, he was replaced by Mohammad Rizwan for the remainder of the match.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement confirming the concussion substitution and mentioned that Sarfaraz was under the observation of their medical panel. The decision to bring in Mohammad Rizwan as the replacement was approved by match referee David Boon after the Pakistan team management's request.
This injury presents a significant opportunity for Mohammad Rizwan to prove himself in the most extended format of the game. Rizwan missed out on playing the two-Test series against New Zealand at home previously, so this is his chance to showcase his abilities as a wicketkeeper-batsman. It is crucial for him to perform well, especially considering his below-average performance in the Test series against England, where he only managed 141 runs in three Tests at an average of 23.50 without scoring a half-century, contributing to Pakistan's 0-3 series loss.
On the other hand, Sarfaraz Ahmed had an impressive outing during the home Tests against New Zealand, emerging as the top run-scorer with 335 runs in two games at an impressive average of 83.75, including one century and three fifties. Although he didn't have a great showing with the bat in the first Test against Sri Lanka, Pakistan still managed to win the match by four wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
As of now, the focus is on Mohammad Rizwan, who has a golden opportunity to cement his place in the team and showcase his potential in the longer format of the game. The ongoing Test match against Sri Lanka presents a perfect platform for him to make a significant impact as the replacement for Sarfaraz Ahmed.
What Happened to Sarfaraz Ahmed?
During the ongoing second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman, encountered an unfortunate incident on the third day. While he was unbeaten on 14, he was struck on the helmet by the very first ball he faced, leading to concerns of a possible concussion.
As per the rules set by the International Cricket Council (ICC), if a player suffers a concussion due to a head or neck injury during a match and it is formally diagnosed by the team, a Concussion Replacement may be allowed. However, it is essential that the head or neck injury occurred during play and within the playing area to be eligible for a Concussion Replacement.
In case these criteria are met, the team's medical representative or manager can submit a Concussion Replacement request to the ICC Match Referee. The replacement player must be like-for-like, meaning they should be of similar abilities and play a comparable role in the team as the player who sustained the concussion.
For the Concussion Replacement to be considered, the request must be submitted within 36 hours of the incident.
At the time this report was filed, Pakistan had scored 358-4 in their first innings, holding a lead of 192 runs, largely due to an exceptional century scored by Abdullah Shafique, who was batting on 167.
Additionally, during the ongoing second Test, Saud Shakeel achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first-ever batter in history to score a half-century in each of the first seven Tests of their career. This is a significant achievement, surpassing the previous record held by players like India's Sunil Gavaskar, Pakistan's Saeed Ahmed, West Indies' Basil Butcher, and New Zealand's Bert Sutcliffe, who scored half-centuries in each of their first six Tests.
As Sarfaraz Ahmed walked off the field and retired hurt, the Pakistan team and fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his condition and the possibility of a Concussion Replacement being allowed to ensure player safety and fair competition.
Is Sarfaraz Ahmed Injured?
Yes, Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman, sustained an injury during the ongoing second Test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The incident occurred when Sarfaraz faced the first ball of his innings, and unfortunately, he was struck on the helmet by the delivery.
The impact of the blow raised concerns about a possible concussion, prompting immediate attention from the medical team. As a precautionary measure and for his safety, Sarfaraz decided to leave the field retired hurt.
A concussion is a serious injury, and it occurs when a forceful impact to the head or body causes the brain to shake inside the skull. It can lead to various symptoms and requires careful assessment and monitoring by medical professionals to ensure the player's well-being.
As of now, the extent of Sarfaraz's injury and the severity of the concussion, if any, are being evaluated by the team's medical staff. Player safety is of utmost importance, and the decision for Sarfaraz to retire hurt was taken to prevent any potential risks.
Given the nature of the injury and the possibility of a concussion, there are established protocols set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to deal with such situations. These protocols focus on player safety and include the option of a Concussion Replacement if the player is diagnosed with a concussion and meets certain criteria.
The team management and medical personnel will closely monitor Sarfaraz's condition and follow the necessary protocols to ensure his safe return to the game when he is deemed fit to play again. Until then, his absence will be a matter of concern for both the team and his fans.
Updates on Sarfaraz Ahmed's injury and recovery progress will be eagerly awaited, as his presence and contribution are significant for the Pakistani national cricket team
Who is Sarfaraz Ahmed?
Sarfaraz Ahmed, born on 22 May 1987, is a renowned Pakistani cricketer known for his skills as a wicketkeeper-batsman. He has represented the Pakistani national cricket team and has held the prestigious position of captain in all three formats of the game.
During his under-19 days, Sarfaraz displayed leadership potential by guiding the Pakistan team to victory in the 2006 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where they defeated India in the final. His success as a captain continued as he led the senior Pakistani side to a historic triumph in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, with a memorable win against arch-rivals India in the final.
Sarfaraz's captaincy journey began with the responsibility of leading the Pakistan Twenty20 International (T20I) team after the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in India. Subsequently, he took on the role of ODI captain on 9 February 2017, succeeding Azhar Ali. Following the retirement of Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz was entrusted with the captaincy of the Test team, making him the 32nd Test captain for Pakistan.
In recognition of his contributions to cricket, Sarfaraz was honored with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the third-highest civilian award in Pakistan, on Pakistan Day in March 2018. His talent and dedication were further acknowledged when he was among the thirty-three players to receive a central contract for the 2018–19 season from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Sarfaraz's milestone of playing his 100th One-Day International (ODI) match was achieved in January 2019 during a series against South Africa. However, he faced a setback in the same series when he was handed a four-match ban for making a racist remark to South African player Andile Phehlukwayo, an incident that he openly admitted to.
In addition to his contributions to the national team, Sarfaraz Ahmed also leads the Quetta Gladiators franchise in the Pakistan Super League, showcasing his leadership skills in domestic T20 cricket as well.
Sarfaraz Ahmed Bio
Real Name
Sarfraz Ahmed
Nickname
Saifi
Date of Birth
22 May 1987
Age
36 years
Place of Birth
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Profession
Pakistani Cricketer (Batsman, Wicket-keeper)
Height
- in centimeters: 170 cm,- in meters: 1.70 m,- in Feet Inches: 5’ 7”
Weight
- in Kilograms: 71 kg,- in Pounds: 157 lbs
Sarfaraz Ahmed Injury Update - FAQs
Sarfaraz Ahmed suffered a concussion when he was struck on the helmet by a delivery from Asitha Fernando on the very first ball he faced in the 81st over of Pakistan's first innings.
As a precautionary measure, Sarfaraz Ahmed decided to leave the field retired hurt after feeling uncomfortable following the 86th over. He was replaced by Mohammad Rizwan as a concussion substitute for the remainder of the match.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the concussion substitution and stated that Sarfaraz was under the observation of their medical panel. The decision to bring in Mohammad Rizwan as the replacement was approved by match referee David Boon based on the Pakistan team management's request
Mohammad Rizwan has a significant opportunity to prove himself in the most extended format of the game as he replaces Sarfaraz Ahmed. This is Rizwan's chance to showcase his abilities as a wicketkeeper-batsman, especially considering his previous below-average performance in the Test series against England.
Sarfaraz Ahmed had an impressive outing during the home Tests against New Zealand, emerging as the top run-scorer with 335 runs in two games at an average of 83.75, including one century and three fifties. However, he didn't have a great showing with the bat in the first Test against Sri Lanka, despite Pakistan securing a victory.