T20 World Cup: Diana Baig, in tears, walks off as Pakistan suffer big injury scare
Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan fast bowler Diana Baig walked off the park after bowling only a solitary delivery in the match against Sri Lanka on Friday in Sharjah.
by India Today Sports Desk · India TodayIn Short
- Diana Baig faced troubles with her calf
- Baig walked off after bowling only 1 ball against Sri Lanka
- Fatima Sana completed the first over
Pakistan fast bowler Diana Baig walked off the park with tears in her eyes when Pakistan faced Sri Lanka in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match on Thursday, October 3 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. After Pakistan asked their opponents to chase down 117, the pacer started with a good length delivery that Vishmi Gunaratne tucked behind square for a single.
But then in her run-up while bowling the second ball, Baig looked in all sorts of pain. She seemed to have pulled a muscle after which the physiotherapist came to treat her. The pacer got treatment on her right calf, which was heavily strapped.
Baig tried to walk, but in the end, walked back with the help of the support staff. Former England men’s skipper Nasser Hussain in commentary also suspected that Baig might have developed a calf injury. Back in 2023, the speedster missed the World Cup due to a finger.
After Baig went off the park, it was skipper Fatima Sana who completed the first over. Later in his second over, Fatima went on to get the all-important wicket of Chamari Athapaththu, who is one of the six cricketers to have played in all nine editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
This time, it remains to be seen if the speedster can recover in time as Pakistan next get set to lock horns with Harmanpreet Kaur’s India on October 6 in Dubai. If Baig doesn’t play the next game, Pakistan have 21-year-old Tasmia Rubab in their squad.
Baig has been a crucial member of the Pakistan team since her debut in 2015, having taken 38 wickets at an economy rate of 6.05. Pakistan recently lost both their warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh. Prior to that, Fatima and Co. also lost 2-1 to South Africa in a T20I series at home.