New Zealand vs Pakistan 2018: Shoaib Malik suffers concussion after throw hits head

What's the story?

Pakistan's senior all-rounder Shoaib Malik has suffered a belated concussion following a throw from Colin Munro at point hitting him at the back of his head. So fierce was the throw that the ball rebounded off his head to ricochet straight to the boundary.

Though he resumed batting after being attended to on the field following the blow, Malik was absent when Pakistan came out to field.

In case you didn't know..

Malik was batting without a helmet, cap or a hat as New Zealand were operating spinners from both ends at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. In the 32nd over of the Pakistan innings, Malik set off for a quick single before being sent back by the non-striker Mohammad Hafeez. It was when he was returning to his crease that Munro's throw banged him on the head.

The heart of the matter

Malik went down immediately and required attention on the field for a few minutes before resuming his innings. Just three balls later, though, he was dismissed for 6.

"Shoaib was assessed by the match doctor and myself," Pakistan team physiotherapist VB Singh said. "He did not have any symptoms of a concussion and was able to carry on playing. After getting out, he was reassessed and was showing delayed concussion signs. He is doing well and is resting."

What's next?

New Zealand lead the five-match ODI series 4-0 after winning the Hamilton ODI by wickets. The fifth game, which has become inconsequential, will take place at Wellington on January 19 and could perhaps see Malik missing from the line-up with a cautious approach from Pakistan. That match will be followed by 3 T20s beginning on January 22.

Author's Take

Though the ICC's rules and regulations do not make it compulsory for batsmen to wear helmets, Malik should have been wearing one despite the spinners bowling from both ends for the very reason of getting hit by a throw.

Cricket fans will remember the tragic injury suffered by young Australian youngster Philip Hughes, who lost his life in in 2014 after a hit to the head during a Sheffield Shield match. Calls for safety for batsmen have become more stringent since.

The ICC should take note of this incident and look forward to making it compulsory for batsmen to wear a helmet for batsmen all the time.