Faf du Plessis narrowly avoided a serious injury after an awkward incident involving a ball boy during an Abu Dhabi T10 league match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. The former South African captain, playing for the Morrisville Samp Army, was chasing a boundary during a match against the Delhi Bulls when the collision occurred.
As Tim David drove Isuru Udana’s delivery towards extra cover for a boundary, du Plessis made an intense chase but couldn’t stop the ball. His momentum carried him beyond the ropes, where he stumbled over a ball boy who had crouched to collect the ball. The accidental collision sent du Plessis tumbling over the advertising hoardings, resulting in an awkward landing. Fortunately, he emerged unscathed, and the incident, caught on camera, quickly went viral on social media.
The match itself was a thriller, with Morrisville Samp Army securing a nail-biting three-run victory. Batting first on a slow-turning pitch, Morrisville posted a competitive 112/5 in 10 overs, thanks to Charith Asalanka’s explosive 51 off 25 balls. The Delhi Bulls, despite dropped catches by Morrisville, looked promising in their chase as Tom Banton smashed a quick 25 off 11 balls. However, Mohammad Zahid turned the game with a key dismissal, bowling Banton on his first ball.
Delhi Bulls struggled to regain momentum, as tight spells from Zahid, Qais Ahmad, and Karim Janat restricted their scoring. Tim David reignited the chase with a late surge, keeping Delhi in contention until the final over. Zahid, who bowled two wides in the tense last over, added drama to the closing moments. With five runs required on the final ball, David was run out while attempting a risky run, handing Morrisville a thrilling three-run win.
The incident with du Plessis added to the drama of the match, showcasing the unpredictability of cricket and the risks players take on the field. While du Plessis was fortunate to avoid injury, the moment underscored the intensity and physicality of the game.
