Rising Pakistan cricketer dies on pitch after being hit by ball

All sports activities in Pakistan’s Sukkur were suspended for three days after a 22-year-old domestic cricketer, Zulfiqar Bhatti, died on the pitch after being hit on the chest by a rising ball.

All sports activities in Pakistan’s Sukkur were suspended for three days after a 22-year-old domestic cricketer, Zulfiqar Bhatti, died on the pitch after being hit on the chest by a rising ball.

Bhatti was batting at his usual one down position for a local club — Super Star Cricket Club — when the tragedy occurred on Tuesday.

"We were playing a match against Sindh Young Cricket Club at the Jinnah municipal stadium when Bhatti, who was a top player in Sukkur, was hit on the chest. As soon as the ball hit Bhatti, he collapsed on the pitch and though we rushed him to a hospital immediately, he was pronounced dead on arrival," club official Rehmat said.

"His only passion was to play first class cricket and then get into the national team. Just one day before the match, he was saying that now cricketers from the interior areas and small towns of Sindh have a chance of playing for Pakistan after the debut of Sharjeel Khan, who hails from Hyderabad," he added.