Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir on Friday became the first-ever concussion substitute in the history of ODI World Cups after he replaced all-rounder Shadab Khan during his team’s match against South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
As per the rules regarding concussion subs, it was a like-for-like replacement, with a leg spinner coming in for the same kind of bowler. The change was the first time that a concussion substitute was ever used at an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The replacement was required after Shadab injured himself while fielding the second legal delivery of South Africa’s run chase.
The leg spinner ran in quickly from mid-on to intercept a shot from South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma and threw down the stumps at the bowler’s end. But he lost balance and fell awkwardly, appearing to hit his head on the ground.
Shadab spent several minutes lying on the ground while getting looked at by physio. Thereafter, a stretcher was brought on to take Shadab off the field, although he was able to walk off himself.
The 25-year returned to the field a while later but had not yet bowled by the time he was deemed unable to continue playing. Eventually, he was replaced by Mir during the 15th over of South Africa’s chase.
As per the rules for concussion subs, Mir is eligible to bowl a full quota of ten overs and he dismissed Rassie van der Dussen in his first over.
