The case of New Zealand cricket player Rachin Ravindra’s bloodied injury during the ODI match involving Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, sparked a lot of talk ahead of the Champions Trophy. What had initially seemed like an ordinary match turned out to be a worrying incident when Ravindra failed to spot the ball by not seeing it due to the harsh glare of the floodlights at the venue following which the ball hit Rachin Ravindra’s forehead.

Issues With Gaddafi Stadium’s Floodlights

Right after Rachin Ravindra was injured, a lot of players and analysts felt that LED floodlights installed at Gaddafi Stadium had also contributed to the injury. Even some cricket officials in Pakistan admit that the use of LED light is an issue because it often reduces the view for players when on the ground.

Who Is Responsible For Rachin Ravindra Injury?

While there is some acknowledgment of the lighting concerns, a few voices from Pakistan have dismissed the criticisms leveled against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt rejected the notion that the stadium’s lighting was at fault. He also criticized discussions around the possibility of shifting the ICC Champions Trophy to another country, calling it ridiculous.

Former Pakistan Captain Shuts Blame Game Over Rachin Ravindra’s Injury

“There’s no point trying to make people understand when they don’t want to. It’s irrelevant. These are some of the latest LED lights that have been installed, so these are fine. When New Zealand players hit sixes off deliveries bowled at close to 150 kph, were the lights not working then? A player who was standing 70 meters away failed to take the catch because of his misjudgment. He is a fine fielder, but perhaps his leg slipped, and he got hurt,” Butt said on a local news channel.

“PCB Shouldn’t Be Blamed”

“Like some of the prior campaigns that stated Pakistan cannot host a tournament as big as the Champions Trophy because the stadiums are not ready, I want to ask the same people, ‘What do you have to say about what happened in Barabati Stadium? That is an established stadium.’ So, I want to say that these things happen. These are not big issues. Just because Rachin was hit in the face doesn’t mean that PCB is to be blamed for it,” he said.