Colombo July 27 2023 : Pakistan have brought in Mohammad Rizwan as a concussion substitute for Sarfaraz Ahmed after the latter was struck on the head by an Asitha Fernando bouncer.
Sarfaraz copped the blow in the afternoon session on day three and is under the observation of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical panel.
The wicketkeeper-batter was facing his first ball of the innings and was trying to duck under the bouncer when he was hit on the back of the head.
While Sarfaraz continued to bat, facing 22 balls for 14 runs, he looked unwell a while later and the physio walked out to check on him and had a long conversation. He walked off at the end of it with Agha Salman joining centurion Abdullah Shafique in the middle.
At the tea break, Pakistan announced that Sarfaraz was replaced by Rizwan, a like-for-like replacement.
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The ICC Playing Conditions allow for a like-for-like replacement when "a player sustains a concussion or suspected concussion as a result of a head or neck injury during the course of the relevant match."
Rizwan will be able to bat in this innings.
Pakistan are ahead in the Test match despite the blow to Sarfaraz with Shafique's unbeaten double hundred giving the team a massive first-innings lead after their bowling attack had wiped out Sri Lanka for 166 on Day 1.
Pakistan are 1-0 ahead in this ICC World Test Championship series.
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