Pakistani opener Imam-ul-Haq retired hurt on Friday after sustaining an injury on his face during the national side’s run chase against New Zealand in the final ODI of the three-match series, being played at the at Bay Oval on Saturday.
Imam was struck by the ball on his jaw and was unable to pass the concussion test followed by the injury, the team management confirmed. As a result, Usman Khan was named the concussion substitute for Haq.
Pakistan are currently chasing a target of 265 runs posted by the hosts. New Zealand had lost 8 wickets in their first innings of the game, which was reduced to 42 overs per side due to persistent overnight rain. The delay caused by the rain also dampened the outfield.
Initially, Haq received medical attention at the ground’s emergency centre and was later taken to the hospital for further treatment, the team spokesperson said. He will undergo a detailed check-up at the hospital, he added.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and put New Zealand to bat first in the rain-affected match. The Kiwis already have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and will be eyeing to secure s whitewash victory over the visitor in today’s match.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will try to avoid a clean sweep by securing their first victory in the country since February 2011.
According to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), their in-form middle-order batter Mark Chapman has been ruled out for today’s match.
The left-handed batter, who also missed the second ODI due to a hamstring injury, was assessed during the home side’s training session for the upcoming fixture which revealed that he had not recovered sufficiently.
As a result, Tim Seifert, who was called in as Chapman’s replacement for the second ODI in Hamilton, will stay with the squad for the upcoming fixture.