Azhar Mahmood, the former Pakistan all-rounder and one of world’s leading exponents in Twenty20 cricket, was injured in a freak accident while enjoying a quad car in the desert outside Dubai.

The protective rod in the car slammed into his ribs and right back, and while he was badly bruised and in pain, X-ray report and CT scan revealed no major damage.

Mahmood, who conducted the first-ever T20-specific coaching camp at the ICC Academy last week, was scheduled to play for Danube Idukki Spices team in the on-going Kerala Premier League.

He has now pulled out of KPL and will head back to England to consult with and recuperate under his physio.

“I am normally very careful about these things when playing cricket. But I thought it would be good fun to spend some time in the desert with friends and family, and then this happened,” said Mahmood.

“I am happy this did not happen in the middle of the camp. I have now been advised at least 10 days of complete rest. Hopefully, I will recover in time because I am in the middle of talks with a Big Bash League side in Australia, and the tournament begins next month.”