NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan has replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed as concussion substitute after the latter was struck on the head by a bouncer during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday.
"Sarfaraz was hit on his head while ducking a bouncer by Asitha Fernando in the afternoon session on day three. He remains under the observation of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical panel," stated a PCB media release.
The wicket-keeper batter was hit on the back of the head by a bouncer while facing his first ball of the innings. Despite the blow, he showed remarkable resilience and continued to bat, making 14 runs off 22 balls.
But he looked unwell and a physio was called to assess him. After the assessment, it was decided that Sarfaraz would not continue batting further to prioritise his safety and allow him to recover from the impact.
Agha Salman stepped in to replace him and joined Abdullah Shafique in the middle to continue the innings.
The ICC playing conditions allow for a like-for-like replacement when "a player sustains a concussion or suspected concussion as a result of a head or neck injury during the course of the relevant match."
(With ANI inputs)
