KARACHI: In a tragic incident, Pakistani batsman Zubair Ahmed has died after being hit by a bouncer during a domestic match in the city of Mardan.

Zubair, who played four List A matches and represented the Twenty20 team Quetta Bears in 2014 when he made his debut, was hit on the head on Aug 14, the nation’s independence day.

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the news on Wednesday in a message in social media and stressed the need to wear the safety gear all the time.

“Tragic death of Zubair Ahmed is another reminder that safety gear i.e. helmet must be worn at all times. Our sympathies with Zubair’s family,” the PCB wrote on its Twitter account.

Australian Test batsman Phillip Hughes had died after being hit on the neck by a cricket ball during a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2014.

Australian opener David Warner was on Tuesday forced to retire hurt following a blow to the side of his neck by a bouncer from Josh Hazlewood during Australia’s intra-squad match at Darwin.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2017