News

Cricketers who retired early because of severe injuries

Published

4 years ago

July 24, 2021

Editor

Injuries are considered an inevitable element of any sport but when the game is being played with a 150-gram ball made up of solid cork and leather and being delivered at lightning speed, you should expect numerous broken jaws, fractured ribs, and wounded heads. But the fact of the matter is that more serious injuries have materialized on the field of cricket by not just pace and bounce of the ball but also by the athletic and acrobatic stunts from the cricketers who in pursuit of giving their 100 percent on the field, often end up pulling a hamstring, twisting an ankle or fracturing their knees. There have been numerous instances when these injuries have proven more than ordinary hick-ups and have ended up costing players their careers. There are quite a few players who have been victims of injuries in their careers and let us go through a few of them.

Shane Bond

The speed star from New Zealand was renowned for his lightning pace. He was being viewed upon as one of the greatest after Sir Richard Hadlee. He is the fastest bowler to have emerged from the land of New Zealand. During his peak in 2003, this man was the real attraction in the world cup along with the likes of Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee. He has ripped through quite a few batting orders. He represented the black caps for nine years but this doesn’t tell the complete story. During his patchy career, he could manage to play only 18 tests and 82 ODIS thanks to the fragility of his structure.

Time and again he had issues with his back. The most serious of which was in late 2003 when he had surgery and his spine was transfused with titanium wire and was out for cricket for almost two years. Apart from these serious challenges, minute niggles were also frequently occurring which hindered his career. This speed merchant hung his shoes in 2010.

Nathan Bracken

The left-arm seamer from New South Wales was tall and well built with exceptional bowling abilities. He made his debut on the Australian side in the era when they had great Mcgrath, Lee, and Warne. He had the canny ability to move the ball back into the right-handers. He was definitely a guy with a promising future. He was ranked as the number 1 ODI bowler in 2008 and also he was declared Australia’s ODI player of the year in 2009. Like many other fast bowlers, he too had his share of injuries. But it was his knee injury that really curtailed his career and despite fighting all the odds, he decided to leave the game and planned to have his knee operated on.

Muhammad Zahid

Pakistan has a history of producing great fast bowlers. Most of them have unearthed from the province of Punjab. In the ’90s this pace bowling attack reached its crescendo and in those days it was considered almost impossible to penetrate into this attack. But surprisingly this lad from Gaggu Mandi made an impact in his debut test match against New Zealand with his ferocious pace and was and picked up 11 scalps. He was a genuine fast bowler with a great heart and was viewed upon as a great prospect for Pakistan cricket.

He suffered a back injury in the early part of his career and got operated on. This kept him out of the game but when he came back in 1999, he could never make the same impact again. He could manage to play only 5 test matches and 11 one-day internationals. He last represented Pakistan back in January 2003 and unfortunately could not make a comeback after that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-kt-ryfIyU

Craig Kieswetter

Born and raised in South Africa, Kieswetter played for Somerset in English county. Like few other players, he preferred England over South Africa for his international career and played 46 ODI and 25 T20 internationals. He was a hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman who liked to play his strokes and had opened for England in T20 cricket. The highlight of his career was winning the T20 world cup in 2010 in the Caribbean where he performed brilliantly along with Kevin Pietersen to clinch the 1st ICC title for his country.

In the 2014 season of English county, Craig Kieswetter was playing for Somerset against Northamptonshire where he met a very serious injury that shattered his aspirations of an illustrious career. He received a bouncer who went through his helmet and hit him on the face. He suffered from a broken nose and fractured cheekbone. The injury was quite serious indeed but nobody expected it to be a career-threatening one. But the later proceedings clearly proved the severity of the blow and Kieswetter tried his best to fight the ailment but the things never went his after that blow. He found it impossible to sight the ball and hence had to retire from all forms of the game.

Saqlain Mushtaq

He was a wily character with a wide range of deliveries up his sleeve. Saqlain’s mixed bag contained the off-spin, topspin, arm ball and the most potent of them all was the doosra. He is someone who resurrected the art of off-spin bowling by inventing doosra. He changed the paradigm of off-spin bowling and demonstrated that off-spinners were no more going to be a run containing articles. He was the fastest to 100 and 200 ODI wickets.

He suffered from a knee injury and had surgery in left knee in early 2004. He was out of international cricket for almost half a year before that. But in March 2004, Inzamam ul Haq called Saqlain Mushtaq back into the side to play a test match against India in Multan. Even though Saqlain argued that he was not 100 percent to play the game, but Inzi insisted that he needed him in the team because of the non-availability of a genuine off-spinner. The match however didn’t turn out to be great for Saqlain because he got some serious hammering at the hands of Virender Shewag who scored 309. Saqlain ended up with dismal figures of 1-204. He was immediately dropped from the side and the worst part about that was that his injury exacerbated his right knee also underwent surgery. However, after this surgery, he could never make a comeback into the Pakistan team and that meant the end of his career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mIPQdTTtys

Saba Karim

Saba Karim is one of the lesser-known commodities in international cricket. He played as a wicketkeeper for India but for not a long duration. He could never really find his place in the Indian team even after his debut in 1996. After the failures of the Indian keepers such as Nayan Mongia and Sameer Dighe, Mongia was called into the Indian team in the 2000 series against South Africa. It appeared to all of Indians that this was his chance to solidify his spot in the team but destiny had planned something else. In the 2000 Asia cup at Dhaka Karim was standing behind the stumps when he got hit on the eye on the delivery of Kumble. He underwent surgery but all this could not prevent this injury from finishing his cricket career forever and hence he never played again for India.

Phillip Hughes

This gutsy left-handed batsman from South Australia was an elegant and promising cricketer with an illustrious career ahead of him. He played a couple of seasons for New South Wales before making his international debut. His stroke playing resembled that of great Mathew Hayden and he was as effective as the two legendary openers Langer and Hayden.

His story of injury is very different from the rest of the guys mentioned here because his injury didn’t just cost him his career but his precious life.

In November 2014 at Sydney, while representing South Australia against New South Wales, He received a bouncer from Sean Abbot that hit him just below his left year. Receiving the blow, he immediately fell down and went into the state of a comma. He was immediately hospitalized and the game was abandoned.

He remained in the state of coma for two days during which he underwent surgery as well. But unfortunately, the young lad at the age of 25 was not able to survive this blow and died on 27th November 2014.

The news came out as a shock to the entire cricketing fraternity and later serious concerns were raised on the safety of players and the use of better safety wares for the players. But this incidence clearly proves the point that cricket is by no means an easy game to play especially when you are facing a steaming fast bowler.

Cricket

Sri Lanka Stun Pakistan to Seal Final Spot After Dramatic Tri-Series Turnaround in Rawalpindi

Published

10 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Rawalpindi, Nov. 27 – Sri Lanka mounted a remarkable comeback in the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series, defeating the hosts by 6 runs in a tense final league-stage encounter to secure their place in Saturday’s grand finale. The victory completes a spirited late surge from the Islanders, who began the series with two deflating defeats but responded with back-to-back wins to keep their title hopes alive.

Sri Lanka’s Road to the Final – From Early Struggles to Strong Recovery

Sri Lanka’s campaign began on the wrong foot, suffering a heavy 67-run defeat against Zimbabwe and a 7-wicket loss to Pakistan in their first two outings. Their batting struggled for rhythm, and the bowling failed to contain opposition top orders.

But the narrative shifted dramatically in the last two matches:

Match 5: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – A Statement Win

Zimbabwe: 146/5
Sri Lanka: 148/1 (16.2 ov)
Sri Lanka dominated with a 9-wicket win, powered by an authoritative chase that restored confidence ahead of the Pakistan clash.

Today’s Match: Sri Lanka Defend 184 in a Rawalpindi Thriller

Sri Lanka – 184/5 (20 ov)

A superb innings from Kavindu Mishara (50 off 34) anchored Sri Lanka’s approach, supported by contributions from Kusal Mendis, Janith Liyanage, and Kusal Perera. Partnerships were steady, with Sri Lanka crossing key milestones — 100 in 11.1 overs and 150 in 16.2 — setting up a competitive 184.

Pakistan – 178/7 (20 ov)

Pakistan’s innings was rocked early, reduced to 45/4 in the Powerplay, thanks to Sri Lanka’s fiery pace attack.
Dushmantha Chameera, later named Player of the Match, delivered when it mattered most.

Agha Salman (50 off 35) and Usman Khan attempted a rebuild with a 50-run partnership, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers held their nerve at the death.

Pakistan reviewed twice unsuccessfully in tense moments but ultimately fell short by 6 runs.

Series Summary So Far

Match	Winner	Margin
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe	Pakistan	5 wickets
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka	Zimbabwe	67 runs
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan	Pakistan	7 wickets
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe	Pakistan	69 runs
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka	Sri Lanka	9 wickets
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan (today)	Sri Lanka	6 runs

Pakistan finished the league matches with 3 wins, Sri Lanka with 2, and Zimbabwe with 1.

Final: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – What to Expect on Nov. 29

The final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is shaping up as a high-stakes rematch. Both teams have beaten each other once in the series, making this final evenly poised.

Pakistan Strengths

Explosive top order (Babar not featured in league matches but expected for final)
Strong seam attack at home conditions
Ability to accelerate in middle overs

Sri Lanka Strengths

Momentum after two consecutive victories
Improved batting with stable partnerships
A rejuvenated pace attack led by Chameera and a disciplined spin unit

Key Battles

Sri Lanka openers vs Shaheen Afridi
Agha Salman vs Hasaranga/slow bowlers
Middle-overs match-up: Mendis vs Shadab Khan

Prediction: A Close Final, Momentum Favors Sri Lanka Slightly

With Rawalpindi offering good batting conditions under lights, a totals around 165–180 will be par.
Pakistan remain favorites at home, but Sri Lanka’s recent form gives them a genuine chance to upset the hosts. If Mishara, Mendis, or Liyanage fire again and Chameera continues his rhythm, Sri Lanka could edge Pakistan in a tight contest.

Predicted Winner (slight edge): Sri Lanka – if they bat first and defend with confidence.

Cricket

SSC Ground Begins Major Upgrades Ahead of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Published

11 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Colombo, Nov. 27 – The historic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground is undergoing significant redevelopment as Sri Lanka prepares to co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 alongside India. One of the most notable upgrades is the long-awaited installation of floodlights, marking a new chapter for one of the country’s most prestigious cricket venues.

SSC has traditionally been a venue for day matches, regularly hosting domestic cricket and women’s internationals. For years, Colombo’s day-night fixtures were primarily steered towards the R. Premadasa Stadium, the city’s largest ground equipped for evening play.

With the World Cup approaching — scheduled from 7 February to 8 March 2026 — SSC is set to take on a more prominent role. The venue will host five group-stage matches, including its first-ever World Cup night game. The opening fixture at SSC will be on 7 February, featuring Pakistan vs Netherlands, followed by the ground’s first floodlit World Cup encounter on 9 February, when Zimbabwe meet Oman at 3:00 PM local time.
The only full night match scheduled at SSC is the high-profile clash between Pakistan and the USA on 10 February at 7:00 PM.

Cricket authorities noted that the addition of floodlights will not only support Sri Lanka’s World Cup commitments but also expand SSC’s long-term hosting capabilities. Once completed, the upgrades could pave the way for future day-night Test matches and domestic tournament games under lights — potentially elevating SSC’s status as a top-tier international venue.

With construction and installations now in progress, the SSC Ground is gearing up to reassert its place among Sri Lanka’s elite cricket stadiums — this time with the glow of modern stadium lighting.

T20 World Cup 2026 – Fixtures at SSC Ground, Colombo

Feb 7: Pakistan vs Netherlands – 11:00 AM (IST)
Feb 9: Zimbabwe vs Oman – 3:00 PM (IST)
Feb 10: Pakistan vs USA – 7:00 PM (IST)
Feb 14: Ireland vs Oman – 11:00 AM (IST)
Feb 18: Pakistan vs Namibia – 3:00 PM (IST)

Football

Sri Lanka’s Performance at AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Full Technical Review and Group A Outlook

Published

1 day ago

November 26, 2025

Editor

Sri Lanka’s U-17 national football team continues its AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign in Group A, delivering a mix of promising moments and clear tactical challenges. After three matches, Sri Lanka sits on three points with one win and two defeats, and the remaining fixtures against China PR and Timor-Leste will determine their final group standings.

Strong Start: Sri Lanka Defeat Brunei 4–0

Sri Lanka opened the qualifiers with an impressive 4–0 victory over Brunei Darussalam. The team showcased fast transitional play, effective pressing in the attacking third, and confident finishing. Their use of wide areas and quick movement off the ball allowed Sri Lanka to control the pace of the match. The defensive unit had limited pressure but remained well-organised. This result highlighted Sri Lanka’s ability to dominate against opponents of similar ranking.

Competitive but Costly Defeat: Bahrain 2–1 Sri Lanka

Against Bahrain, Sri Lanka produced a competitive performance but were undone by defensive inconsistencies. Bahrain repeatedly exploited the spaces between fullbacks and centre-backs, taking advantage of gaps during transitions. Sri Lanka struggled to track midfield runners, allowing Bahrain to create sustained pressure. Despite these issues, Sri Lanka produced quality attacking sequences, including a well-worked equaliser. Goalkeeper Mohamed Kathafi delivered several key saves to keep Sri Lanka in the contest. This match illustrated both the team’s potential and the areas requiring structural improvement.

Bangladesh Expose Sri Lanka’s Structural Weaknesses

Bangladesh outplayed Sri Lanka in a 5–0 defeat, using a high-pressing system that Sri Lanka struggled to manage. The defensive line dropped too deep, creating large spaces in midfield that Bangladesh exploited. Sri Lanka were unable to build out from the back or maintain possession under pressure. Fatigue and gaps between lines contributed to the widening scoreline in the second half. This performance underscored the need for stronger defensive compactness, improved press resistance, physical conditioning, and better management of transitions.

Overall Assessment

Sri Lanka’s strengths lie in quick counter-attacks, energetic wing play, and reliable goalkeeping. However, weaknesses remain evident in defensive organisation, ball retention under pressure, central creativity, and physical match endurance. The campaign continues to provide critical experience for long-term youth development.

Upcoming Match Analysis

Sri Lanka vs China PR

China PR enters the fourth match with exceptional form, scoring 30 goals and conceding none. Their physicality, structured build-up, and high press are expected to challenge Sri Lanka heavily. Based on form and tactical profiles, China are strong favourites to secure a large-margin victory.

Sri Lanka vs Timor-Leste

Sri Lanka’s final fixture against Timor-Leste offers a favourable opportunity. Timor-Leste have conceded heavily in all matches and have yet to score or collect a point. Sri Lanka will likely control transitions and attacking phases, making this a realistic chance to secure a second win in the group.

Projected Final Group A Standings Based on Current Form

Rank	Team	P	W	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	China PR	5	5	0	~40	0	+40	15
2	Bangladesh	5	4	1	~23	6	+17	12
3	Bahrain	5	3	2	~10	8	+2	9
4	Sri Lanka	5	2	3	~8	18	-10	6
5	Timor-Leste	5	0	5	~2	28	-26	0
6	Brunei	5	0	5	~0	32	-32	0

A win against Timor-Leste would confirm Sri Lanka’s place in the top four and provide a positive conclusion to their AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifying campaign.