Injury scare for Quetta Gladiators as Andre Russell cops a blow on head

After a miserable first half of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Quetta Gladiators were expecting better results in the second leg after roping in some of the stalwarts of the T20 format for the remainder of the season. However, things didn't quite go their way as they succumbed to a crushing 10 wicket defeat to Islamabad United. Colin Munro was the wrecker in chief and blazed away to a 36 ball 90, taking Islamabad to a victory in 10 overs.

Advertisment

Quetta Gladiators are set to take on Peshawar Zalmi today but there are few doubts about the availability of star all-rounder Andre Russell. The West Indian was hit on the head by a ferocious bouncer from Muhammad Musa. Even though he was allowed to continue after being examined by the physio, he was stretched out from the dressing room to an ambulance in the first over of the second innings. He was later replaced by fast bowler Naseem Shah.

An all-rounder's replacement with a specialist bowler didn't go down well with Islamabad United's skipper Shadab Khan as he was seen getting into an argument with the umpires. The rules on concussion substitutes state that any concussed player can be swapped by someone outside the XI, as long as the match referee agrees and the incoming player is the like for like replacement.

The decision to allow Naseem Shah to replace Andre Russell might have been based on the fact that Russell was likely to deliver four overs for Quetta Gladiators. Naseem bowled just one over for Quetta Gladiators and conceded 19 runs, including four boundaries.