Pakistan vs New Zealand: Imam-ul-Haq in the safe zone after his scans come out clear

Pakistan opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq’s scans came out clear after he was hurried away to the hospital for ‘precautionary scans’ following a blow to the helmet on the course of the second One-day international against the Kiwis in Abu Dhabi. The opener received a blow on the grille off the first delivery of the 13th over bowled by the fast bowler Lockie Ferguson. Imam had been beaten for pace as he tried to pull a bouncer while batting on 16. He retired hurt shortly after that and was taken off the field when Pakistan were 58-0 in pursuit of 210.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), however, has stated that the 22-year-old will remain under the team physio’s observation. As soon as he was struck with the ball, Imam dropped his bat and reached out for his helmet and fumbled on the floor. He wasn’t comatosed but was lying down with his eyes closed.

He got up to his feet, however, was very much in discomfort. At this juncture, umpire Shozab Raza intervened and gestured the doctors to help the batsman off the field. A PCB official, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo informed that Imam was conscious inside the ambulance while being driven to the hospital.

Pakistan clinch an emphatic win to level the three-match series

Meanwhile, Pakistan sealed the second ODI to their name in order to keep the series alive. It was Pakistan’s first ODI win against New Zealand since December 2014. Earlier Pakistan had displayed a sensational bowling performance spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, taking four wickets.

Ross Taylor top scored for New Zealand with 86, however, the Kiwis could manage only 209 in their 50 overs. After Imam-ul-Haq was led off the field, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman put the men in green on course with a century partnership

Fakhar Zaman fell for 88 when Pakistan needed 55 runs to win. A series of wickets thereafter had derailed their chase marginally, however, Hafeez was in the middle to ensure that Pakistan won convincingly with more than nine overs to spare. Shaheen Afridi was adjudged the man of the match for his four wickets for 38 runs from nine overs.

[interaction id=”5be42b5fc141403b8dd1295f”]