Play was briefly halted in Dubai recently during a thrilling Asia Cup Group A clash between Pakistan and the UAE, after on-field umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge was unfortunately struck on the ear. The incident unfolded in the sixth over of UAE’s innings when a throw, intended for the bowler, inadvertently hit the Sri Lankan umpire on his left ear.
Palliyaguruge, who had his back turned, appeared visibly stunned by the impact, prompting a swift response from Pakistan’s fielders who immediately rushed to his side. The team physio was quickly called onto the field, and following a short delay to assess the situation, a reserve umpire took his place to allow the match to continue. This unexpected injury added another layer of drama to an already charged atmosphere.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had posted a total of 146 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs after being asked to bat first. This respectable score was largely due to a counterattacking half-century from Fakhar Zaman, who scored 50 runs off just 36 balls, and a crucial late cameo from Shaheen Shah Afridi. Afridi smashed an unbeaten 29 runs from a mere 14 deliveries, including two powerful sixes, to rescue his team’s innings from a potential collapse. Umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge was hit on the ear from a Pakistan throw, an image captured during the match.
UAE’s bowlers had performed admirably, with Junaid Siddique claiming impressive figures of 4 for 18 and Simranjeet Singh Kang adding 3 for 18, collectively keeping Pakistan to what seemed like an achievable target. Pakistan’s top order had struggled once again, with Saim Ayub suffering his third successive duck in the tournament, and Abdullah Shafique also departing cheaply.
Chasing 147 runs to secure their qualification to the Super Four stage, UAE’s innings faced an early disruption from Pakistan’s spinners. Saim Ayub quickly made an impact, taking a wicket in his very first over, while Abrar Ahmed also dismissed UAE captain Muhammad Waseem during his opening spell, igniting hopes for his team.
With both sides feeling the pressure of the high-stakes contest, the umpire’s injury became a significant moment in an already dramatic encounter. The match itself had been preceded by an hour-long delay and even faced threats of a Pakistan boycott before its commencement, setting the stage for a truly memorable day of cricket.