Four UBL players injured in Regent Plaza fire incident

Team was in Karachi to play in ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Super Eight tie against HBL

KARACHI: Four cricketers of the United Bank Limited (UBL) team, who are currently in Karachi for the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Super Eight tie against Habib Bank Limited (HBL), were injured when a massive fire ripped through Karachi’s Regent Plaza Hotel during early hours on Monday.

According to local police and doctors, at least 11 people were killed and 75 others were injured.

All-rounder Yassim Murtaza suffered ankle break as he jumped from the balcony to save his life, while leg-spinner Karamat Ali received injuries to his hand from a broken glass, team sources confirmed to The Express Tribune.

UBL head coach Nadeem Khan later confirmed that two players, right-arm fast-bowlers Adil Raza and Sadaf Mehdi are currently getting treatment for suffocation related problems at Ziauddin Hospital in Clifton.

The team left the scene of the tragic incident in morning, and the players gathered at the house of teammate Shan Masood, where they had their breakfast.

Update: UnitedBank players & SSGC's UmarAmin lodged at ShanMasood's house. Shan wonderfully hospitable comforting all atm#RegentPlaza pic.twitter.com/LvDuHvjX8b

— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) December 5, 2016

Pakistan middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood, who is a part of the UBL’s team, revealed the horrific experience he faced in the middle of the night.

“We were on the fourth floor and were woken up around 3am,” said Maqsood while talking to The Express Tribune. “We wanted to leave our room and tried to rush down, but the thick smoke made it impossible to breathe. We had to battle the smoke for three hours before we were eventually rescued around 6am.”

Another Pakistan batsman Umar Amin, who is representing SSGC in the ongoing domestic tournament, said it was impossible to breath due to thick smoke.

“I wrapped my head with a wet towel and tried to breathe, but it was almost impossible to get rid of the thick smoke,” said Amin. “I was on the eighth floor and got in touch with UBL players. We all endured an almighty struggle and came out safely.”

After the incident, the third day of the ongoing match between UBL and HBL was postponed until further notice.