Former Pakistan batsman and ex coach of the Pakistan team, Mohsin Khan spoke to PakPassion.net about the issues surrounding the tragic death of Australian batsman, Phillip Hughes.

By Amir Husain (28th November, 2014)

Former Pakistan batsman and ex coach of the Pakistan team, Mohsin Khan spoke to PakPassion.net about the issues surrounding the tragic death of Australian batsman, Phillip Hughes.

Initial reaction to this tragic news

I, like everyone else, was undoubtedly very upset when I heard this news. I understand that bouncers, yorkers and even beamers are part of this game and happen in matches which are played around the world. However, there is equipment available to protect the players from head to toe, with even wicket-keepers using such equipment. So when I first heard that he had been injured, I knew that there had been impact on his head but I was sure that the helmet would have protected him and that he would be back in action after recovering from this blow. I was, therefore, very shocked to hear of his passing away.

This is tragic not just for cricketers of Australia but for cricketers around the world and we sincerely pray that the Almighty blesses his soul and provides solace to his family and friends at this difficult time as at its very difficult to come to terms with accidental loss of life.


Onus on cricket equipment makers to ensure better protection

I sincerely hope that more can be done to provide better protection for cricketers even though as it stands today, the cricketers do take extreme care by wearing helmets, chest guards etc. However, I would ask the helmet makers, who are already doing a great job with their products, to improve protection in two areas which need to be guarded with extreme care. These are the areas of the temple and the skull in general. As this tragic example has shown us, these two parts of the helmet need further attention and I hope the helmet makers will double their efforts to improve their products to address this issue.


Words of comfort for Sean Abbott

One has to remember that Australians take their cricket very seriously and it really doesn’t matter what level it is, whether they are playing for their country or state. They play the game hard and sometimes with aggression and that’s the way it’s played in Australia. 

Having said that, Sean Abbott never had any intention of causing harm to Phil Hughes and I do feel sorry for him in that sense but bouncers are bowled to get the batsman out by making him play a mistimed shot or get him caught behind. 

I say again, no bowler in the world will ever think of damaging an opponent to this extent and Abbott must be very upset now, but time is a great healer of wounds and hopefully at some point he will come to terms with this tragedy.


No changes necessary to rules of the game from the ICC

We must keep in mind that cricket is nothing like the sport of boxing where the sole purpose is to physically hurt the opponent so all that needs to be done is for helmet manufacturers to work on making their equipment more effective in protection of batsmen. 

The ICC, to their credit, has already taken a lot of steps to ensure the safety of players in such situations. As you know, in the past you could bowl six bouncers in an over which was changed and a limit of two such deliveries enforced. In one day cricket, there is even a regulation about waist high balls so a lot has been done already and the ICC has taken a good positive stance on this subject but imposing more restrictions on bowlers will tilt the game heavily in favour of batsmen. 

As it stands today the pitches, especially in one day cricket, are already biased towards batsmen and any bowlers are struggling to take wickets. This is even true in Test matches as well. Yes, you may find good bouncy pitches in Australia but in the rest of the world, the pitches are very tame and the fast bowlers need that extra something to make things even. Even as a batsman, I would be very happy to play the game in the same way it’s been played before and really no change in rules is required.

Discuss