Pakistani cricketer Zubair Ahmed dies after being hit in the head by bouncer

Cricket - Australia v Pakistan - Third Test cricket match - Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia - 7/1/17 Pakistan's captain Misbah-ul-Haq reacts during the trophy presentation. REUTERS/David Gray - RTX2XU7F

Pakistani List-A cricketer Zubair Ahmed passed away on Wednesday after being hit on the head by a bouncer at a match in Mardan.

Ahmed had played 4 matches for T20 team Quetta Bears in 2014, scoring a breezy 111 not out in his second game against Larkana Bulls, for which he received the Man of the Match award.

The incident took place on Monday, which also happened to be Pakistan’s 71^st Independence Day. The news of Ahmed’s death was confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board through a tweet, which also cautioned other Pakistani cricketers to wear protective gear like helmets while batting.

Tragic death of Zubair Ahmed is another reminder that safety gear i.e. helmet must be worn at all times. Our sympathies with Zubair's family pic.twitter.com/ZNmWDYaT5w

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) August 16, 2017

PCB wasn’t the only one to express its remorse on Twitter. Australian one-day great Dean Jones, who is the coach of Pakistan Champions League team Islamabad United, too expressed his remorse on the micro-blogging site and paid his condolences to the young cricketer’s family.

"It's so sad to hear. Young Cricketer Zubair died in Mardan after cricket ball hit on head during Cricket match. Condolences to his family," Jones said.

The tragic news came less than 24 hours after Australian Test cricketer David Warner walked off the field after being struck by a Josh Hazlewood bouncer in the neck.

The southpaw dropped to his knees and let go of his bat the moment he was struck by the ball and Australian Test captain Steve Smith was seen rushing toward him from the slips to see if he was alright. Warner was declared fit and available for the Bangladesh tour upon further examination but was asked to sit out the ongoing match.

Cricketers’ safety has been under increased focus ever since Australian cricketer Phil Hughes’ death in November 2014. Hughes, who played 26 Tests for Australia, died after being struck by a ball on the base of his skull in a first class match.