Centurion Ahmed Shehzad fractures skull in first Test

E-Paper | March 10, 2026

ABU DHABI: Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad suffered a fractured skull after being hit by a bouncer during the second day of the first Test against New Zealand on Monday.

Shehzad, 22, hit a wicket off New Zealand's seamer Corey Andeson. He scored a career-best 176 but was dismissed in the last over before lunch.

Shehzad attempted a hook but missed the ball which hit him on the side of the temple. He fell and as he did so, his bat hit the stumps for a hit-wicket dismissal.

Shehzad felt dizzy and had to be helped off the field by team physio Brad Robinson.

He was rushed to a hospital where a scan revealed a minor fracture.

“Shehzad's CT scan shows depressed fracture of zygomatic arch of skull," a Pakistan Cricket Board release said.

“The specialist surgeon has confirmed minor fracture and has advised 48 hours of close monitoring. In case the pain doesn't subside then the surgeon may opt for decompression,” said team manager Moin Khan.

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J.K

Nov 10, 2014 05:54pm

Cricket helmet technology is from stone ages.i have seen plenty of videos where these helmets do a marginal job of protecting the batsmen. Why is ICC so backward when it come to protective gear.

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sarax

Nov 10, 2014 06:08pm

Get well soon great player.

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shoukat

Nov 10, 2014 06:09pm

get well soon...and of course you did a great job by scoring for country.

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Itsqashi

Nov 10, 2014 06:12pm

You will be better soon bravo.

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Muhammed Ali

Nov 10, 2014 06:15pm

get well soo mate..

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nav

Nov 10, 2014 06:19pm

I hope inshallah he would be fine....all prayers are with you buddy.

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Abdul

Nov 10, 2014 06:19pm

Its a chhek bone fracture not a skull fracture.

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salman

Nov 10, 2014 06:20pm

Mayy Allah keep him safe and give him full recovery soon.

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Abdul

Nov 10, 2014 06:20pm

its a cheek bone fracture not a skull fracture.

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ahmed

Nov 10, 2014 06:31pm

Arrogance has done this

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drtamed

Nov 10, 2014 06:31pm

@Abdul and that cheek bone is in his hip girdle? Not a part of skull?

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 10, 2014 06:44pm

What a tragedy?

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karan

Nov 10, 2014 06:46pm

Get well soon great player... Prays from india.... U r a gud player dude..n we know u will fight back soon as a brave player... Get well soon... U hav talent n we indians praise this...

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asghar

Nov 10, 2014 07:15pm

Wish him early recovery .

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MUHAMMAD OWAIS ALI

Nov 10, 2014 07:28pm

Nazar lag gaey yar log masha ALLAH jo nahi kehtay :(

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H L

Nov 10, 2014 07:53pm

May you get well soon and may be more humble. I don't mean sarcastically. We all get carried over most often with our achievements and forget about being humble. Wish you good health.

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san

Nov 10, 2014 07:58pm

Wish Shehzad speedy recovery. New Zealand players should not have considered unfortunate wicket of Shehzad. They should have exhibited sportsmanship spirit and called him back, though he is technically OUT. He may not come and play after recovery in this innings. But, as a mark of respect and with sportsmanship they should have shown spirit.

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Irfan

Nov 10, 2014 08:03pm

Get well soon!

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Dr. Sadaf

Nov 10, 2014 08:05pm

If the same had happened and Pakistani bowler was bowling, by now all sort of allegations on the team would have arisen including match and spot fixing.

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Arisha G

Nov 10, 2014 08:14pm

I think they were within the rules of play, @san. Will likely not be able to partcipate in the rest of the match perhaps. To all those commenting on his arrogance and humility, not that i know much about the guy myself, he is 22. Give the kid a break.

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Junaid

Nov 10, 2014 08:29pm

Get well soon, and hope you come back twice as strong !

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Aziz

Nov 10, 2014 08:35pm

Who prescribes and monitors the standards of equipment used? Was this responsibility duly discharged? In such circumstances who will pay for the expenses incurred? Are our players and team members insured. Again whose responsibility is it to ensure that?

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A Sidhu

Nov 10, 2014 08:53pm

If he is 22, then Afraidi was certainly 17 on debut. Guys be realistic, do u really believe he is 22? No wonder the whole world doubts everything u say.

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Zia

Nov 10, 2014 09:01pm

May Allah give youa very healthy and happy life

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Meherban Cheema

Nov 10, 2014 09:12pm

Hope the blow will help him think straight....

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Shakeel

Nov 10, 2014 09:14pm

@drtamed Skull fractures typically refer to damage to the cranial bone, not the cheek bone which is a facial bone. You are correct though, the skull itself is formed of both cranial and facial bones. It's merely a matter of terminology.

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krishna

Nov 10, 2014 09:29pm

get well soon from India..

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Asad

Nov 10, 2014 09:43pm

@A Sidhu You're right, in fact please publish your research on 'guessing someone's age'. You also seem to have a grip on world affairs which is an added bonus. Looking forward to reading that journal too if you care to share. In the mean time the rest of us will pray for Shehzad and hope he gets better.

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Love U India

Nov 10, 2014 10:39pm

Get well soon....

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Harmony

Nov 10, 2014 10:44pm

@Dr. Sadaf - Conspiracy theories again???

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Ash

Nov 10, 2014 10:59pm

That's really sad. Well played. Get well soon, boy.

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Khawar

Nov 10, 2014 11:12pm

@A Sidhu, get well soon!

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zaffar

Nov 11, 2014 12:59am

He will come back very strongly Inshallah Allah.Wish you en early recovery.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 11, 2014 01:35am

Let him rest for few weeks and give chance to another opener like Taufeeq Umar.

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Hassan Malik

Nov 11, 2014 02:31am

i dont know why the pepole dare even talk about someone attitude while he has been injured seriously , get some life guys ...

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vicmultani

Nov 11, 2014 02:53am

What is surprising is that he was allowed to walk back all the way to the players lounge---possibly climbing stairs. Next time happens---please have a golf cart ready---no if and buts---even if the players does not want to. It should be mandatory to ride back to the pavillion and have a doctor look at you.

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Njaved

Nov 11, 2014 03:07am

Get well soon Shahzad, Pakistan needs you in WC 2015. My best wishes with you and Team-Misbah!

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Shahji

Nov 11, 2014 03:09am

I wish and pray speedy recovery for Shahzad. I urge ICC BCCP BCCI ECCB and all other cricket boards to think Safety First. We the fans love all the players. Give them better safety equipment.

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kalman

Nov 11, 2014 05:22am

Wish him a speedy recovery and back to hitting balls with the bat.

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pakistani

Nov 11, 2014 05:31am

Wish you full recovery and health. get well soon.

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Naeem

Nov 11, 2014 05:32am

What is wrong with the Pakistani team medics????? How dare they allowed him to walk with such an injury!!!!He should have been taken on a cart and straight on to a ambulance and hospital. He should have only been allowed to walk ,once the doctor had cleared him!!!! I was shocked when I saw him being help walk away from the pitch!!! Speedy recovery for a very gutsy batsman!!! May Allah keep you in his protection!!!

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pakistani

Nov 11, 2014 05:35am

@A Sidhu this is not the right time and place to argue about someone's age.He hurt himself while representing our dear homeland, So be gracious and humble and leave the age issue for sometime later.

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Faisal

Nov 11, 2014 05:56am

Pakistan is continuously losing its stars to either inconsistency, bans, corruption scandals, injuries or incidents. How unfortunate is that for a country that produces so much talent.

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tariq

Nov 11, 2014 06:40am

@Abdul was wondering how someone can live with fracture skull

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Dija

Nov 13, 2014 09:18am

@ahmed very immature comment i must say

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