Complaint by a young spectator after he was hit by a cricket ball in Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad district, about 200 kilometers from here, proved fatal as he was thrashed so badly by the players that caused his death.

According to the reports, the incident occurred in Kareli area in the district on Sunday.
19-year-old Sushil Yadav, a labourer, was watching a cricket match between two local teams, when a lofted shot by a batsman hit hard on his hand. An infuriated Sushil admonished the players and threatened to complain to their parents.

Irked over Sushil’s outbursts, some players hit him with cricket bats while others punched him several times on his face and chest. The victim kept pleading to spare him but to no avail. The players fled from the scene later.

According to the eyewitness accounts, Sushil fell on the ground with a broken nose and soon lost consciousness. The family members, who reached after being informed by some locals, rushed him to the hospital.

A battered Sushil succumbed to his injuries late in the night, police sources said.

A case has been registered against the attackers and a manhunt has been launched to nab them, sources said, adding that the victim had identified a few players before death.

Earlier also, fights during the cricket matches have claimed lives. A few months ago, a teen was killed in a fight over an umpiring dispute.