Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed has criticized Melbourne Renegades captain Will Sutherland’s decision to retire wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan during the 33rd match of the Big Bash League (PBL) 15 against Sydney Thunder at the Sydney Showground Stadium.
Rizwan struggled for timing during his innings, scoring 26 runs off 23 balls, including two fours and a six, following the captain’s decision to signal off the field.
Sutherland opened the batting in the 18th over but fell to Ryan Hadley for just one run off one ball.
On social media platform ‘X’, Tanvir lashed out at the Australian all-rounder, questioning both his on-field performance and the decision to retire the former Pakistan captain.
“It was a performance by Rizwan’s captain – the one who called Rizwan off the field. He should be ashamed of himself,” Tanveer wrote.
Fans reacted strongly to the incident, labeling the move as embarrassing as clips of the moment quickly went viral on social media platforms.
Notably, Rizwan has endured a tough run with the bat in the ongoing tournament, scoring 167 runs at an average of 20.88 in eight matches without registering a half-century.
Batting first in this match, Melbourne Renegades scored 170 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
Hasan Khan top-scored with a 31-ball 46 with a four and four sixes, while openers Josh Brown and Tim Seifert scored 35 and 29 respectively.
David Willey, Ryan Hadley and Wes Agar took 2 wickets each for Sydney Thunder.
Following a rain interruption, the match was reduced to 16 overs, with the Thunder set a target of 140 runs.
Led by captain Sam Billings, the Thunder chased down the target with six wickets in hand thanks to a match-winning cameo from Chris Green, who hit 34 off 13 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes.
Billings scored 33 off 27 balls with a four and a six, while Nick Maddinson scored 30 off 17 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes.
For the Renegades, Gurinder Sandhu led the bowling despite conceding runs, finishing with figures of 4/42 from four overs, while Adam Jamba also picked up two wickets.
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