Famous Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was forcibly retired during Melbourne Renegades’ Big Bash League match after scoring 26 off 23 balls.
During the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was forcibly retired for slow batting. He is representing Melbourne Renegades in the BBL.
This move is being labelled as an unusual decision in T20 cricket that has sparked debate among fans and experts.
Rizwan scored 26 runs off 23 balls. This includes two fours and a six.
But he struggled to score off nine consecutive deliveries. His strike rate of 113 was considered below par for the fast-paced T20 format.
With the team needing quick runs in the final overs, the Renegades captain took the rare step of sending Rizwan off the field and promoting a more aggressive batter in his place.
The move has shocked spectators at the stadium and social media users alike.
A former Australian cricketer on the commentary panel supported the decision.
He suggested that the captain could have acted two overs earlier to benefit the team.
He emphasised that pace has become a key factor in modern T20 cricket. Adding that it required the batters to adapt quickly to match situations.
The incident also drew strong reactions on social media. Some fans criticised Rizwan’s batting and said it did not meet T20 requirements.
However, many others defended him. They highlighted his consistent performances alongside Babar Azam for Pakistan. Shaheen Shah Afridi has also praised their contributions in the past.
Babar Azam in BBL
On Sunday, January 11, Lachlan Shaw, Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper-batsman, in an interview with former Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, praised Babar Azam.
He called the Pakistani star “unreal”. He further placed him among the best players in the world.
Brad Haddin has asked Shaw about his experience with Babar Azam in the 2025-26 season of the Big Bash League (BBL 15).
Read more: Lachlan Shaw calls Babar Azam “Unreal” after BBL 15 clash
