Mohammad Rizwan forced to retire out in BBL 15 clash

Mohammad Rizwan forced to retire out in BBL 15 clash

Melbourne captain stuns fans by retiring Mohammad Rizwan in BBL 15 clash. File photo

January, 12 2026

(Web Desk): Melbourne Renegades created a stir during their Big Bash League (BBL) 15 match against Sydney Thunder, retiring Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan mid-innings.

A video shared by BBL on social media showed Renegades captain Will Sutherland calling Rizwan back to the pavilion so he could take his place at Sydney Showground Stadium on Monday. The former Pakistan captain was on 26 off 23 balls when this unusual move happened.

Fans quickly reacted, calling Rizwan being forced to retire out an embarrassment. The video went viral on social media, sparking debates among cricket followers worldwide. Ironically, Sutherland himself could not make an impact, as he was run out for just one run.

In the match, Renegades batted first and scored 170-8 in 20 overs. Hassan Khan top-scored with 46 off 31 balls, hitting one four and four sixes, while openers Josh Brown and Tim Seifert added 35 and 29 runs, respectively.

For Sydney Thunder, David Willey, Ryan Hadley, and Wes Agar picked up two wickets each, keeping the opposition under pressure.

Rizwan has had a tough time in the current BBL season, scoring 167 runs in eight matches at an average of 20.88, without registering a fifty.

Both Rizwan and Babar Azam, who have been regulars in major tournaments since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE, have recently been sidelined from Pakistan’s T20I side. The selectors dropped them after the three-match T20I series against South Africa in December 2024, focusing on younger talent ahead of the T20 World Cup.

However, both players continue to feature for Pakistan in the ODI and Test formats, keeping their international careers alive in longer formats.

Analysis: Rizwan’s retirement out highlights cricket’s unpredictable moments. While fans were shocked, it also shows how captaincy decisions can backfire. Despite struggles in BBL, Rizwan remains a key player for Pakistan in ODIs and Tests. Small decisions on the field can spark big controversies off it.

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