PCB hits back at New Zealand over Rachin Ravindra's gruesome injury

Pakistan finds itself in troubled waters following the injury of star Kiwi all-rounder Rachin Ravindra during the first game of the Pakistan tri-series on February 8. The injury on his forehead was so severe that blood was involved and the all-rounder was rushed off the field. While going for the catch, Ravindra misjudged the speed of the delivery and seemed to have lost in the lights. As a result, he failed to spot the ball and copped a blow flush on his forehead. 

Soon after, the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium became a negative center of attraction with fans pointing out some erroneous flaws in the latest LED light system which was revamped as a result of the renovation process. The stadium opened doors just a day before the kick-off of the tri-series. Additionally, fans also began questioning the safety aspect and also demanded the ICC to reconsider shifting the entire Champions Trophy 2025 out of Pakistan.

See also: New Zealand vs South Africa Live Score, Tri-Series 2nd ODI: New Zealand Won by 6 wickets

PCB and the entire nation hit back strongly at the growing criticism 

Responding strongly to Rachin Ravindra's injury, the entire Pakistan community along with its national cricketing body lashed out at the global cricketing community and blatantly held Ravindra responsible for the mishap. This also involved former Pakistani skipper Salman Butt who suggested that the newly-installed LED lights had nothing to do with Ravindra's on-field injury.

He further adds that Rachin failed to judge the speed and the trajectory of the delivery thus leading to the unfortunate injury. He responded to the criticism with a tinge of sarcasm and questioned whether the lights were in order when the Kiwi cricketers were successfully launching towering sixes against deliveries exceeding 150 clicks. 

"There's no point trying to make people understand when they don't want to. It's irrelevant. These are some of the latest LED lights that have been installed, so these are fine. When New Zealand players hit sixes off deliveries bowled at close to 150 kph, were the lights not working then? A player who was standing 70 meters away failed to take the catch because of his misjudgment. He is a fine fielder, but perhaps his leg slipped, and he got hurt."

Similar floodlight issues halted play in Cuttack

Although the Indian fans enjoyed taking a swipe at Pakistan following Ravindra's horrendous injury, its supporters soon got a taste of their own medicine when the second ODI between India and England was disrupted multiple times due to floodlight failure. Play was called off for 30 minutes before the lights were restored. The issue has now escalated to a whole new level wherein the Odisha Cricket Association has now received a show-cause notice which demands an explanation from them about the said incident. 

Like PCB, the BCCI has also faced issues with floodlights in the past. While such issues are not so uncommon, striping Pakistan's hosting rights for the upcoming Champions Trophy does not make sense. Speaking of Ravindra's injury, the batting all-rounder is under close observation of the medical team and seems to be recovering well. Multiple stitches have been applied on his forehead and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to recover just in the nick of time for the marquee event.