ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB held responsible for Rachin Ravindra's horrific injury; ICC scrutiny looming?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was severely blasted by the fans after a horrific injury to New Zealand's opener Rachin Ravindra during the first ODI of the tri-series between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand.

Rachin Ravindra was hit on the forehead as he was hit by a ball while attempting a catch. It is believed that Ravindra was having trouble watching the ball properly due to which the fans blamed the poor lighting conditions of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore where the match was played.

The incident happened in the 38th over of Pakistan's innings when the allrounder Khushdil Shah struck a powerful sweep in the air towards Ravindra, who was at deep backward square leg. Ravindra had plenty of time to catch the ball but misjudged the trajectory completely under the lights.

As a result, he was hit right in the face and was even bleeding. It called for urgent medical intervention. Ravindra was later carried off the field by the team physio for further treatment.

However, the fans were unhappy with the poor lighting of Gaddafi Stadium. They blamed the PCB for Rachin Ravindra's serious injury and even argued how the ICC allowed an important tournament like the Champions Trophy to be played in Pakistan.

Also read: Rohit Sharma to quit team India before Champions Trophy 2025? India coach provides an official update

PCB blasted after Rachin Ravindra suffers injury

How did @ICC allow Pakistan's ground to host international matches??

ICC should ensure players' safety and if Pakistan can't provide shift CHAMPIONS TROPHY to Dubai.

Prayers for Rachin Ravindra 🙏🏻#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/lYKwnuwr00

— Digital Hunt 247 (@digitalhunt247) February 8, 2025

Safe to travel but not safe to play cricket? Ravindra got hit on the head due to bad flood lights. Did they test those flood lights? There should be some protocols when they install flood lights. How can we be sure nothing else will happen? Good that India aren't traveling

— Just4Cricket (@GodLightTruth) February 8, 2025

🚫 That was a serious blow.
Get well soon champ.😰
- Due to bad light Rachin Ravindra misjudged the ball & he got badly injured & bleeding so much.💔..🥺 #PAKvNZ #RachinRavindra#RachinRavindra #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/GFovZX86Bd

— ANKIT_06 (@Singhdhakad47) February 9, 2025

Pakistan is worst place for cricket, they need to improve light quality of stadium.
Wishing for speedy recovery of rachin ravindra 🙏 🙏 #rachinravindra pic.twitter.com/s7aVNbEncR

— Cricket Flames 🔥 (@PartTimeFan18) February 8, 2025

Lahore ka Gaddafi stadium dekha ki nahi ? Light ke naam par street light laga diya 🤧😂 #champion #ChampionsTrophy2025 #ibes2025

— Imtiyaz (@Imtiyaz8744281) February 8, 2025

@ICC how many injured players would it take for you to notice the underprepared Pakistan stadiums? Rachin clearly lost the ball in poor light. He was lucky the ball was hit by a weak Pakistani, A hit from any strong Australian or Afghan batter could be life threatening #PAKvsNZ

— Bacon Khan (@yogi_enigmatic) February 8, 2025

How did @ICC allowed Pakistan's ground to host international matches??

ICC should ensure players safety and if Pakistan can't provide shift CHAMPIONS TROPHY to Dubai.

Prayers for Rachin Ravindra 🙏🏻#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/77bvA7uqjv

— KohliForever (@KohliForever0) February 8, 2025

Get well soon, Rachin Ravindra 🤞

- Scary scenes at Lahore for all cricket fans. pic.twitter.com/uERdaUuWHb

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 8, 2025

Will Rachin Ravindra play the next match?

It is yet not clear whether Rachin Ravindra will be fit to play the next match against South Africa on February 10. However, it has raised serious concerns over Pakistan's newly renovated stadium ahead of the Champions Trophy.

The final of the Champions Trophy is also scheduled to take place on this ground, given India's unavailability. When Ravindra was hit, there was stunned silence across the stadium. The left-hander had struck a fiery 25 off 19 balls earlier with the bat.

New Zealand dominate Pakistan

New Zealand completed a comfortable win over Pakistan in the tri-series opener. Batting first, the Kiwis posted a big score of 33-6 on the board. Glenn Phillips smashed a brilliant 106 off 74 balls for New Zealand while Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell chipped in with useful fifties.

In reply, Pakistan was all out for just 252 with more than 2 overs to spare. Fakhar Zaman gave his team a flying start but got no support from the other end. Zaman scored 84 off just 69 balls.

New Zealand's skipper Mitchell Santner was the pick of the bowlers with 3-41 in 10 overs. Fast bowler Matt Henry also picked up three wickets in the match.