India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was carried off on a stretcher after an injury during the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 clash against Pakistan on Wednesday.
The incident took place in the 18th over of Pakistan innings when Hardik slipped during his run-up and went down in discomfort. He was soon mobbed by the Indian players, who were concerned about his injury, and was then treated by the Indian physio Patrick Farhart immediately.
He was writhing in pain and was therefore taken off the field on a stretcher. It looked as if he had suffered a serious injury to his back. His fifth over was completed by Ambati Rayudu.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also issued a statement, saying, “Injury update – Hardik Pandya has an acute lower back injury. He is able to stand at the moment and the medical team is assessing him now.”
Injury update – @hardikpandya7 has an acute lower back injury. He is able to stand at the moment and the medical team is assessing him now.
Manish Pandey is on the field as his substitute #TeamIndia #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/lLpfEbxykj— BCCI (@BCCI) September 19, 2018
Only Rohit Sharma, with 46 games, has played more for India over the past 12 months than Pandya’s 44 appearances. Pandya has played a lot of cricket recently, featuring in a full IPL season for Mumbai Indians before missing only one game during his national side’s recent tour of England.