The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 saw the tournament's first-ever concussion substitute on Friday during the South Africa vs Pakistan game in Chennai. Leg-spinner Usama Mir was brought in for fellow leggie Shadab Khan, who injured himself while fielding during the first over of South Africa's run-chase. To add to the drama, Usama picked up a wicket too, trapping Rassie van der Dussen in front for 21. At the time of writing, the Proteas were struggling at 146/4 in pursuit of a target of 271. (Match Blog | Scorecard | Streaming)
Since Usama was a like-for-like replacement, the substitution was allowed as per the rules governing concussion substitutes. The replacement was needed as Shadab got injured while running in from mid-on to stop a shot from RSA skipper Temba Bavuma and try to throw down the stumps at the bowler's end. But in doing so, Shadab lost balance and fell, hitting his head on the ground.
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After lying on the ground for several minutes and receiving treatment from the medical staff, Shadab was taken off the field. He returned some time later, but had not yet bowled by the time he was deemed unable to continue playing and was replaced by Usama during the 15th over. As per the regulations, Usama will be eligible to bowl a full quota of ten overs.
Shadab had earlier scored a 36-ball 46 to help Pakistan recover from a middle-order wobble and put 270 runs on the board. Mir had originally been dropped for this game after giving away 1 for 82 and 0 for 55 in Pakistan's losses to Australia and Afghanistan. But against South Africa, the leg-spinner made an immediate impact, sending back van der Dussen in his first over and later taking a catch off Mohammad Wasim's bowling to help dismiss the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen.
