Pak cricketer dies on pitch after getting hit on chest

All sports activities in the city of Sukkur in Pakistan’s Sindh province were suspended for three days after a promising young cricketer, Zulfiqar Bhatti, died after being hit on the chest by a rising ball.

Bhatti, 22, was batting at his usual one down position for his local club -- Super Star cricket club -- when the tragedy occurred on Tuesday.

"We were playing a match against Sindh Young cricket club at the Jinnah municipal stadium when Bhatti, who was a top player in Sukkur, was hit on the chest.

"As soon as the ball hit Bhatti on the chest he collapsed on the pitch and though we rushed him to hospital he was pronounced dead on arrival," club official Rehmat said.

"His only passion was to play first class cricket and then get into the national team. Cricket was his life.

"Just one day before the match he was saying that now cricketers from the interior areas and small towns of Sindh also have a chance of playing for Pakistan after the debut of Sharjeel Khan who hails from Hyderabad," he added.

The authorities, as a mark of respect to the popular cricketer, announced a three-day suspension of all sporting activities in Sukkur.