The 6th T20 international between England and Pakistan saw a bizarre incident take place as Umpire Aleem Dar got hit flush on his thigh from an aggressive pull shot from 21-year-old Pakistan batsman Haider Ali.
The incident took place during the 6th over of the game’s first innings.
Haider Ali’s pull shot HURTS Umpire Aleem Dar
The penultimate delivery of Pakistan’s batting PowerPlay was a short one from England pacer Richard Gleeson upon spotting which the eyes of Haider Ali lit up.
Haider, trying to make the most of the 2nd last ball of the field-restricted overs unleashed a pull shot to (ideally) get a boundary.
Unfortunately, the aggressive stroke from Haider Ali turned out to be nothing more than a friendly fire at compatriot Umpire Aleem Dar.
Failing to accurately judge the line of the ball, Dar got smacked on the back of his left thigh, earning plaudits from England’s Barmy Army for his boundary-saving effort.
A cracking piece of fielding ?
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) September 30, 2022
Not long after the bizarre incident, Sam Curran dismissed Haider Ali on an individual score of 18(14).
PAK captain Babar Azam steered the ship to safe shores, scoring a responsible 87* off 59 deliveries. However, Pakistan still could not put a par score as Haider Ali and co. let Babar down, scoring just 77 collectively.
Though Pakistan might have planned to defend the slightly under-par score by containing England batters, Philip Salt (88* off 41) put all such plans to a halt.
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The demonic innings from Slat consisted of 13 fours and 3 awe-striking maximums as his side made a mockery of the 170-run target, chasing it with 33 balls & 8 wickets to spare.
England’s win in the 6th T20 international has tied the well-fought series for the 3rd time and the 7th and final T20I at Lahore will serve as the all-important series decider.
Mohammad Rizwan, who was rested for the 6th T20I is expected to make a return for the October 2 match and if Haider Ali and Ifthikar can lend him and Babar some support, an even contest awaits.