The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) found itself in the midst of controversy after Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealand all-rounder, suffered a head injury during the 1st ODI of the tri-series between New Zealand and Pakistan.
Ravindra, attempting a catch, was struck on the head when he failed to locate the ball, resulting in heavy bleeding. With blood dripping from his forehead, he had to leave the field, his face covered by a white towel.
The incident sparked an outcry among fans, many of whom blamed the PCB and the floodlights at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium for the accident. The stadium had just been inaugurated the day before with great fanfare, but the accident led some to call for the removal of the 2025 Champions Trophy from Pakistan, citing inadequate facilities.
However, the PCB defended the situation. “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 misjudgement. He is a fine fielder, but perhaps his leg slipped, and he got hurt,” a PCB spokesperson said in a local news interview, according to Hindustan Times.
The issue extended beyond just the PCB when, on the following day, the second ODI between India and England was interrupted for almost 30 minutes at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium due to a floodlight malfunction. This led to backlash against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well. The Odisha Cricket Association even received an NOC from the Odisha State Council, requesting an explanation. In response, a defiant news anchor remarked, “Such things happen,” and added that the suggestion of removing the Champions Trophy from Pakistan made little sense.
“Like some of the prior campaigns that stated Pakistan cannot host a tournament as big as the Champions Trophy because the stadiums are not ready, I want to ask the same people, ‘What do you have to say about what happened in Barabati Stadium? That is an established stadium.’ So, I want to say that these things happen. These are not big issues. Just because Rachin was hit in the face doesn’t mean that PCB is to be blamed for it,” he said.
On the other hand, former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed sharply criticized the PCB, accusing it of being incapable of properly maintaining stadiums. “We don’t even have the money. Whatever is done to maintain the stadiums comes from state associations,” he stated.
Adding to the discussion, Shoaib Mohammad, son of the legendary Hanif Mohammad, believed the floodlights were indeed a factor. “Most definitely. In fact, before the whole Rachin Ravindra incident, I noticed that even Daryl Mitchell had some trouble spotting the ball when he was fielding. The moment he took the catch, at a normal height, I noticed that his expressions indicated that he couldn’t quite see the ball properly,” he remarked.
Mohammad continued, “So if he too faced the same problem, something is wrong. The placement of the floodlights is a technical aspect. Rachin was standing at deep square leg, and the light was right before him. Now, that is not usually where floodlights are erected in a stadium. There is some glare due to which the ball is getting lost in the players’ vision.”
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
