Melbourne Renegades captain Will Sutherland and the team’s head coach have apologized to Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan after a controversial decision to retire him out during a Big Bash League (BBL) match.
The incident occurred during a tense phase of the BBL game when Mohammad Rizwan was struggling to increase the run rate. Although he was not out, he was asked to leave the field and replaced by another batter, a rare move that immediately drew attention.
Rizwan appeared unhappy with the decision at the time. He scored 26 runs off 23 balls, including two fours and one six. His innings featured a nine-ball period without scoring, and his strike rate stood at 113, raising concerns for the team as pressure mounted.
After the match, sources close to the team confirmed that the Renegades’ management acknowledged the situation and personally apologized to Rizwan for how the decision was handled.
Speaking later, captain Will Sutherland expressed regret, admitting that emotions were high at a crucial stage of the match and saying he was ashamed of his behavior.
The decision sparked strong reactions on social media. Some fans questioned Rizwan’s suitability for T20 cricket, while others defended the move.
Despite the backlash, the Renegades’ apology helped ease tensions, with the team recognizing Rizwan’s experience and status in international cricket.
Following the controversy, Rizwan also addressed reports suggesting he might leave the BBL early. He strongly denied the rumors, calling them false and baseless, and confirmed that he remains committed to the Melbourne Renegades.
Rizwan also revealed that both the captain and head coach spoke to him after the match, thanked him for his professionalism, and apologized for how the situation unfolded.
