Mohammad Rizwan retired out despite being not out in BBL match, but why?

MELBOURNE (Web Desk) – A rare and eye-catching moment unfolded in Australia’s Big Bash League when Pakistan’s star batter Mohammad Rizwan was called back to the pavilion despite not being dismissed, after his team decided his scoring rate was holding back their innings.

The former white-ball team captain has now become the first Pakistani batter to be retired out on tactical grounds in a 20-over T20 match.

The incident took place during a Melbourne Renegades match, where the team captain made the strategic decision to retire Rizwan out because of what was judged to be slow batting at a crucial stage of the innings. The move saw Rizwan leave the field immediately, allowing another batter to come in and accelerate the scoring.

Muhammad Rizwan has been retired out by the Melbourne Renegades #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/AuTGoTIHqb

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2026

Rizwan had scored 26 runs from 23 balls at the time of his withdrawal. His innings included nine dot balls, a statistic that weighed heavily in the captain’s decision as the Renegades looked to push the run rate in the closing overs. With limited deliveries remaining, the team opted for a change that would bring more urgency and attacking intent to the crease.

The decision was not just noticed by fans in the stands but also drew attention in the commentary box. A former Australian cricketer on commentary publicly backed the captain’s move, stating that the call could have been made even earlier, with around two overs still left, given the need for quicker runs.

Rizwan’s removal sparked an immediate reaction online, with social media users debating the fairness and impact of the decision. While some defended the tactical nature of the call, others directed strong criticism at the Pakistan international. One user went as far as suggesting he should consider stepping away from T20 cricket, a remark that quickly gained traction among cricket followers.