Pakistan all-rounder Hussain Talat was stretchered from the field and taken to hospital on Friday after injuring his left shoulder while trying to save a boundary in the second ODI against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The incident unfolded in the sixth over of Bangladesh’s chase. Litton Das punched Mohammad Wasim through cover, Talat sprinted, flicked the ball back inches from the rope, then trod on the foam marker and crashed into the advertising hoardings. He landed awkwardly on his left side and stayed down. Team-mates, ground staff and medical personnel reached him quickly; within minutes an ambulance was summoned and he was driven to a nearby hospital.
A Pakistan Cricket Board statement confirmed: “Talat received immediate medical attention from the team’s medical staff on the field. Following the initial assessment, he has been taken to a hospital for a detailed examination. The nature and extent of the injury will be determined after the doctors complete further medical evaluation.”
Speaking to the host broadcaster before play was halted, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi said, “It’s hard to watch a mate hurt like that. Fingers crossed the scans are kind to him.”
Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar, on commentary duty, added a neutral view: “The boards sit only a couple of feet from the rope. You’re committed to the stop and there’s no time to brace. It’s a risk every modern fielder accepts.”
Play stopped an over after the accident as lightning flashes sent both sets of players scampering for the dressing-rooms, followed by a short, sharp hailstorm. Officials kept the players indoors while the groundstaff fought to protect the square.
Pakistan, 1–0 down in the three-match series, were in command when the weather intervened. Maaz Sadaqat’s measured 68 anchored a competitive 274 all out, and Shaheen’s new-ball burst reduced Bangladesh to 27 for 3 in 6.3 overs.
At the time of writing the teams were still waiting for clearer skies and, more importantly for Pakistan, reassuring news on Talat’s shoulder.
