Lanka Premier League 2022 has seen some amazing non stop cricketing action. Jaffna Kings lead the table with 8 points after having played 5 games. Kandy, Galle and Colombo have played 4 games each, while Dambulla have played 3 games.
The tournament while seeing some amazing cricket has also seen some gruesome injuries. The one that comes to mind is that of Chamika Karunaratne, who lost his 4 pearly whites while going for a catch. There was yet another incident which left the fans concerned for a while on Monday.
Azam Khan left injured while keeping wickets β
The incident happened when Kandy Falcons were chasing. Galle Gladiators bowler Nuwan Pradeep bowled one down the leg side. The wide ball did not carry to the wicket keeper Azam Khan as he went down in a heap. The player could be seen wincing in pain as the other had an apparent look of discomfort and concern on their faces.
When the replays were shown, it could be seen the ball had hit Azam Khan square on his forehead. His father, former Pakistani wicket keeper Moin Khan could be seen concerned as he gave his son a pat while getting taken off the field in a stretcher.
Carlos Brathwaite rocks Galle early β
Galle won the toss and chose to bat first but found themselves in trouble early to be placed at 10/4. Kusal Mendis was the first to go for 1 caught by Pathum Nissanka off Brathwaite. Ishuru Udana then got the wicket of Lahiru Udana for 5, before Brathwaite got the wickets of Pakistani duo Azam Khan for 1 and Iftikhar Ahmed for a duck.
Dabare and Fernando help Galle reach 153 β
N. Fernando joined Thanuka Dabare and added 113 runs for the 5th wicket which turned out to be the match winning one. Dabare scored 70 off 51 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes, while Fernando scored 56 off 50 balls with 5 fours. This helped Galle reach an impressive 153 from their 20 overs.
Galle hold their nerves despite Kandyβs late rally β
Chasing 154 to win, Kandy found themselves at 70 for 6 with the Galle bowlers doing the damage. The top scorer of the innings for Kandy was Ashen Bhandara with 41, while Karunaratne scored 15 ball 32 as Pathum Nissanka scored 32 ball 29. For the Galle it was Nuwan Thusara and Lakshan Sandakan picked 2 wickets while Imad Wasim picked 1 wicket.
Twitter reacts β
The injury to Azam Khan left the fans stunned and concerned as they took to Twitter to voice their feelings. You can read all the tweets from concerned fans below.
β MAHARAJ JI (@MAHARAJ96620593) December 12, 2022
Very awkward bounce for Azam Khan. Hit on the head and taken off in a stretcher. Hope he is alright @MAzamKhan45 #AzamKhan #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/fgFgof88TZ
β Realsirjee (@iamthebestboi00) December 12, 2022
Get well soon, Azam Khan!
β Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) December 12, 2022
The wicket-keeper was taken off the field on a stretcher after being hit on the head while keeping.
πΈ @DanuskaAravinda | #LPL2022 pic.twitter.com/unrEjHjSlF
wicket-keeper AZAM KHAN was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was hit on the head in the match !!
β M S C π΅π° (@_friendlycheema) December 12, 2022
prayerss for your speedy recovery champ :( pic.twitter.com/RryYDtbFul
Galle Gladiators Wicket Keeper Azam Khan is carrying to the Hospital after hitting the ball in his head #sportspavilionlk #LPL2022 pic.twitter.com/4soWc7R376
β DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) December 12, 2022
Azam Khan was taken off the field on a stretcher after being hit on the head while keeping.pic.twitter.com/SokgMdPs13
β Thakur (@hassam_sajjad) December 12, 2022
Prayers and best wishes to Azam Khan for his swift recovery. The wicketkeeper-batter was taken off on a stretcher. He was hit on the head while keeping for Galle Gladiators against Kandy Falcons. #LPLT20 #LPL2022
β Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 12, 2022