Just hours after uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup 2025 match against the UAE, on-field umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge was struck on the head by Mohammad Haris.
Pakistan’s legendary bowler Wasim Akram reacted by shouting “bullseye” before the umpire walked off during the UAE innings.
Pakistan secured a 41-run win over the UAE in a group stage match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, September 17.
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Salman Ali Agha’s side confirmed their place in the Super Four stage alongside India from Group B. Pakistan will face Suryakumar Yadav’s side again in the Super Four stage.
Watch: Umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge Forced to Leave Field After Being Hit on the Head
The incident took place during the sixth over of the UAE innings. On-field umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge was accidentally struck on the head. Saim Ayub was bowling to Dhruv Parashar, who nudged the ball into the outfield and ran for a single.
The fielder collected the ball cleanly and threw it back to the wicketkeeper. Mohammad Haris then tried to return the ball to the bowler, but it struck Ruchira Palliyaguruge on the back of his head.
Ruchira Palliyaguruge held on to his ear as Pakistan players and their physio rushed to his aid for a concussion check. Play was halted briefly before he walked off in discomfort. Reserve umpire Gazi Sohel, an experienced Bangladeshi official with over 50 T20Is to his name, stepped in as a replacement.
Watch the video of the same posted by a user on X (formerly known as Twitter) below:
Ruchira Palliyaguruge💀
Umpire whose finger is always up against 🇵🇰-was there in the last #PakVsInd
Swear to God I was hoping that somebody will hit him in the balls, but head works fine for me. 😍#PAKvsUAE https://t.co/MIkFSYOzkF pic.twitter.com/27OydSzcZH— 🦅 (@six_nil) September 17, 2025
Straight On the Head of the Umpire – Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram, who was in the commentary box, reacted with the word “bullseye” when the throw hit umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge on the head. Akram then stated that a fielder’s job is not to hit the umpire, but many fans online felt he could have used a more suitable phrase.
“Straight on the head of the umpire, what a throw! Bullseye! One job of the fielder is not to hit the umpire…,” said Wasim Akram on commentary.
Pakistan makes it to the Super 4 of the Asia Cup 2025
Chasing 147, the UAE lost early wickets and collapsed to 37 for 3 within six overs. Rahul Chopra and Dhruv Parashar tried to steady the innings, but Pakistan tightened their grip as the home team was dismissed for 105 runs. Chopra scored 35 off 35 balls, including one four and one six.
UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem opted to bowl first. Saim Ayub recorded his third straight duck in the opening over, and the visitors collapsed to 9 for 2 in 2.4 overs. Fakhar Zaman and Salman Ali Agha added a 61-run stand for the third wicket. Zaman reached a half-century off 35 balls.
Pakistan looked set to score over 160, but the middle order collapsed, losing four wickets for just 23 runs. Shaheen Afridi smashed 29 off 14 balls to lift the side to 146 for 9 in 20 overs.
Junaid Siddique was the pick of the bowlers for the UAE, taking 4 for 14, while Simranjeet Singh added 3 for 26 and Dhruv Parashar claimed one wicket.
Salman Ali Agha’s form is a concern for the Men in Green, as he has scored just 23 runs across three matches at an average of 7.67 and a strike rate of 57.50, with a best score of 20.
Also read: Watch: Rashid Khan brutally attacks Pakistan umpire on field after Asia Cup 2025 match vs BAN
