Here is the list of cricketers who tragically lost their lives

As we mourn the death of Afghanistan batsman Najeeb Tarakai, let us take a look at some tragic deaths in cricketing history

Cricket is undoubtedly one of the most loved sports in the world. But sometimes, amidst all the excitement and thrill, something tragic happens that stuns us completely. While many players got into nasty fights on the field, some players tragically died calling to rest on the field. Here is the list of cricketers who tragically lost their lives:

  • Philip Hughes (Australia) – 2014

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The Australian batsman was hit in the neck while trying to pull bouncer of Sean Abott in a domestic match. He missed the ball and it struck him on the neck. He suffered a ruptured artery that led to a brain haemorrhage. Doctors termed it as one of the rarest kinds of accidents and the first one to have ever recorded in the history of cricket.

  • Darryn Randall (South Africa) – 2013

While competing in a domestic match,  wicketkeeper-batsman Darryn Randall was hit on the side of the head. He was trying to pull a shot and that’s when the ball struck his head. He collapsed on the pitch and was immediately rushed to the hospital but couldn’t revive upon arrival.

  • Zulfikar Bhatti (Pakistan) – 2013

Pakistani batsman, Zulfikar Bhatti was playing a domestic game when he was hit in the chest by the ball. He collapsed on the ground and was rushed to the hospital immediately. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

  • Richrad Beaumont (England) – 2012

Just a day after Beaumont has celebrated a five-wicket haul with his fast bowling, he collapsed on the pitch, suffering a suspected heart attack. The fast bowler was airlifted to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

  • Wasim Raja (Pakistan) – 2006

Wasim Raja was a Pakistani left-hander bowler and a useful one, who died on the pitch playing in a 50-over competition in Surrey. After bowling just 2-3 overs, he complained of uneasiness. Soon he collapsed on the field, succumbing to a massive heart attack.

  • Raman Lamba (India) – 1998

The accident of Indian cricketer, Raman Lamba was one of its own kinds which resulted in his death. He was struck on the head while fielding during a club match in Dhaka. He suffered serious brain injurious and went into coma three days after the accident and unfortunately couldn’t survive.

  • Ian Folley (England) – 1993

Ian Folley was hit below the eye in an accident while batting in a domestic match for Derbyshire against Workington. He was under an anaesthetic in the hospital and that’s when he suffered a heart attack and died.

  • Wilf Slack (England) – 1989

While batting in a match in Banjul, the capital of Gambia, the left-handed opener suddenly collapsed and died. He suffered four blackouts while out in the field in previous matches, but despite doctors carrying out tests they were unable to diagnose the cause of his death.

  • Abdul Aziz (Pakistan) – 1959

The wicketkeeper-batsman was playing in a domestic match in Karachi, Pakistan when he was hit in the chest while batting. He was rushed to the nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

  • George Summers (England) – 1870

While playing a domestic match for Nottinghamshire against the MCC at Lord’s, Summers was struck on the head. He took basic treatment on field and later went to home without going to hospital. Four days later, he died due to that injury.

  • Jasper Vinall (England) – 1624

Jasper Vinall was the first cricketer known to have died as a result of an incident during a game. He was accidentally struck on the forehead with a cricket bat during a game at Horsted Keynes on 28 August 1624 and died thirteen days later.