KARACHI: Former Pakistan opening batsman and ex- coach Mohsin Khan wanted more protection in cricket gears to ensure tragedy is not repeated like the death of emerging Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.
Brilliant left handed batsman Hughes died after hit on the side of neck underneath left ear during a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney three days ago.
"I sincerely hope that more can be done to provide better protection for cricketers even though as it stands today, the cricketers do take extreme care by wearing helmets, chest guards etc," he told a website on Friday.
However, I would ask the helmet makers, who are already doing a great job with their products, to improve protection in two areas which need to be guarded with extreme care.
He said helmet should be improved in the areas of the temple and the skull in general.
"Like everyone else, I was undoubtedly very upset when I heard this tragic news.
He said bouncers, yorkers and even beamers are part of this game and happen in matches which are played around the world.
"However, there is equipment available to protect the players from head to toe, with even wicket-keepers using such equipment," he recalled.
Mohsin said despite this tragic incident there should be no changes necessary to rules of the game from the ICC,." he added.
"We must keep in mind that cricket is nothing like the sport of boxing where the sole purpose is to physically hurt the opponent so all that needs to be done is for helmet manufacturers to work on making their equipment more effective in protecting the batsmen.
"The ICC, to their credit, has already taken a lot of steps to ensure the safety of players in such situations.
In the meantime former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad said Thursday he was shocked by the death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.
"It was a huge blow for the whole cricketing fraternity across the world," he said in an interview. This is big cricket loss.
Javed Miandad, who himself went through the same dilemma in the mid eighties when he was struck on the head off a bouncer from Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee while featuring in double wicket tournament in Calcutta.
"Hughes was a courageous batsman and death at the age of 25 is a big loss to cricket," Miandad said.
"When I got the news I prayed for Phillip Hughes' quick recovery," he maintained.
He praised the gesture of Pakistan and New Zealand teams' for postponing the second day play in third Test in Sharjah as mark of respect for Phillip Hughes.
Miandad recalled after the injury, he missed a series against New Zealand in 1985.
"After being hit on the head I went through balance problems for weeks and got treatment from neurosurgeon Dr. Juma and also went to USA for treatment," he remembered.
He said Pakistan opener and captain Majid Khan's jaw was broken after he got bouncer from West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts and underwent surgery.
Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas also survived a serious injury after a bouncer crashed in his helmet off bouncer from Colin Croft.
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