Islamabad United cricket team [Source: AFP]Islamabad United have been hit by another net injury scare after the Lahore Qalandars’ incident earlier this month in PSL 2026. Bowler Mir Hamza Sajjad was struck during a training session on Tuesday at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre. Incidentally, Mark Chapman, one of Islamabad United’s squad members, played a shot that hit Sajjad, leading to a serious injury scare. Islamabad United Pacer Gets Deadly Injury Blow As per Pakistani news outlet Geo Super, Mark Chapman, the PSL batter, failed to control his shot, and the ball struck Mir Hamza Sajjad on the back of his head. Shortly after the incident, Sajjad collapsed and briefly lost consciousness. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation. According to reports, Mir Hamza Sajjad is now conscious and stable, though a CT scan will be conducted to assess the severity of the injury. The incident forced the training session to be halted midway, with players and support staff visibly concerned. So far, Islamabad have not released an official statement. However, in a positive development, Sajjad is currently out of immediate danger. Also Read- Mitchell Starc To Return? DC Strongest Playing XI vs GT, IPL 2026, Match 14Who is Mir Hamza Sajjad? Sajjad, a domestic cricketer in Pakistan, has played six T20 matches and taken eight wickets. In first-class cricket, he has featured in eight matches, claiming 25 wickets. He was picked by Islamabad United in the PSL 2026 auction for PKR 70 lakh, but is yet to make his debut. This injury could further delay his entry into the tournament. Why do such freak injuries happen? Sajjad’s accident, along with the recent Lahore Qalandars net bowler injury, highlights the growing concern over freak incidents occurring during PSL 2026. Net bowlers are often exposed to high-impact risks, primarily from balls struck at high velocity by professional batters, and greater safety measures should be implemented in such situations. Many of these accidents occur when bowlers are delivering balls or assisting with throwdowns and are unable to react quickly to powerful shots hit straight back at them, often due to improper net positioning. While batters are equipped with full protective gear, bowlers remain relatively exposed to the force of the ball, which increases the risk of serious injuries. Islamabad United Going Strong In PSL 2026 Meanwhile, Islamabad, led by Shadab Khan, are aiming to climb higher on the points table, where they currently sit third behind Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings. After an opening loss to Multan, Islamabad have built a winning streak and will face Lahore Qalandars on April 9 at the National Stadium, Karachi. So far, Shadab Khan and Sameer Minhas have been standout performers for the franchise, both maintaining strike rates above 170. Meanwhile, Salman Irshad and Imad Wasim remain key bowling options who could trouble Lahore’s batting lineup, including Mohammad Naeem and Abdullah Shafiq. In recent head-to-head encounters, Lahore Qalandars hold a slight edge, winning three of the last five matches. However, given Islamabad United’s current form in PSL and Lahore’s inconsistent run, the Shadab Khan-led side could pose a strong challenge to the Shaheen Afridi-led team, especially with Fakhar Zaman unavailable due to the ball-tampering scandal. Also Read- Hyderabad Kingsmen Predicted Playing XI vs Peshawar Zalmi- PSL 2026, Match 15
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