Tag: Mohammad Rizwan

SYDNEY: Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan became Pakistan’s first player to be retired out in T20 cricket during the 33rd fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 between Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder.

Rizwan scored a sluggish 26 from 23 balls with the help of two fours and a six before Renegades skipper Will Sutherland called the batter back to the pavilion.

At this stage, Renegades were 154-5 at the end of the 18th over.

The video set social media abuzz with fans questioning the decision to retire Rizwan.

Notably, Rizwan also became the first overseas batter in the ongoing tournament to be retired out.

Overall, Mohammad Rizwan is going through a horror run in the BBL 15, scoring 167 runs in eight matches at a modest average of 20.87, with a strike rate of 101.82.

 

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Nonetheless, Melbourne Renegades eventually managed to put on a show with the bat as they racked up 170/8 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

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Hassan Khan remained the star batter as he hit four sixes and a boundary on his way to 46 from 31 balls.

For Sydney Thunder, Wes Agar, Ryan Hadley, and David Willey picked up two wickets each.

In reply, Sydney Thunder scored 140-5 in 15.2 overs before rain arrived, which handed them a four-wicket victory as per the DLS method.

Nic Maddinson and Chris Green starred with the bat, particularly the latter, scoring an unbeaten 34 from 13 balls with the aid of three sixes and three fours.

For Melbourne Renegades, it was Gurinder Sandhu again with the ball as he picked up his third fourth-wicket haul of the tournament.

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MELBOURNE: Josh Brown, Mohammad Rizwan, and skipper Will Sutherland helped Melbourne Renegades seal a nervy last-ball victory over Melbourne Stars in the 22nd fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Renegades chased down a stiff 174 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday in front of a record crowd with one ball to spare, losing six wickets in the process.

After Tim Seifert departed for six in the second over, Mohammad Rizwan and Josh Brown made light work of the chase with a 103-run partnership.

The duo composed batting, particularly Brown, made the target look easy before a collapse left them reeling. The pair brought the total to 127 in 14.1 overs.

Brown was bowled by Mitchell Swepson for 84 off 48 with the help of nine fours and four maximums.

However, after Brown’s departure, the Renegades lost their way in the middle, losing 5 for 34 in less than 5 overs.

Rizwan followed him after the 16th over, making 41 off 38 with the help of four boundaries, while Peter Siddle and Haris Rauf combined to rock back with quick wickets, which slumped them to 148-5 in 17.5 overs.

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However, Sutherland held his nerve and launched Marcus Stoinis for two sixes in the final over to win it for his side.

For Melbourne Stars, Peter Siddle and Haris Rauf once again stood tall with the ball, picking up two wickets each.

With this, the Melbourne Renegades ended their three-match losing streak and secured their second win of the season. On the contrary, Stars have now lost two in a row after winning the first four games.

Earlier, put into bat Melbourne Stars managed to put 173-9 on the board at the end of their 20 overs.

Callum Stow and Gurinder Sandhu provided Melbourne Renegades with the start they wanted, keeping the Stars batters on their toes.

At one stage, Stars were reduced to 55-4 in 7.4 overs before a string of partnerships in the lower middle order lifted them out of trouble.

After a shambolic display from the top-order, Tom Curran (38 off 18) and Campbell Kellaway (33 off 27) provided them with respites, which helped them reach a competitive total at the end of their innings.

For the Renegades, Gurinder Sandhu remained the star bowler, who picked up a four-wicket haul.

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MELBOURNE: Pakistan star Babar Azam produced a composed unbeaten half-century to lead Sydney Sixers to a six-wicket victory over Melbourne Renegades in a Big Bash League (BBL) season 15 encounter at Docklands Stadium on Thursday.

In a much-anticipated Babar Azam versus Mohammad Rizwan contest, the Sixers opted to field first after winning the toss.

Renegades lost early momentum when Jack Edwards dismissed Tim Seifert for eight, leaving the hosts 10 for 1 inside the first two overs.

Rizwan then partnered with Josh Brown in a brief counter-attack, though the second-wicket stand was largely driven by Brown’s aggressive approach.

The right-hander smashed 43 off just 19 balls, including three fours and four sixes, before Hayden Kerr broke the 44-run partnership. Rizwan struggled for fluency and was dismissed soon after, scoring six from ten deliveries.

Jake Fraser-McGurk steadied the innings with a 29-ball 38, featuring four boundaries, before falling to Sean Abbott after pushing the Renegades past the 100-run mark.

Hassan Khan provided late resistance with a quick 39, hitting three sixes and a four, but his dismissal in the final over curtailed the Renegades’ momentum as they finished on 164 for 9.

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Abbott was the pick of the Sixers’ bowlers with three wickets, while Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis and Kerr claimed two apiece.

In reply, the Sixers made a solid start through Daniel Hughes and Babar, adding 46 for the opening wicket.

Gurinder Sandhu removed Hughes for 30 off 23 balls, but Babar anchored the chase calmly. Josh Philippe chipped in with 16, while captain Moises Henriques added a brisk 23 to keep the innings on track.

After the fall of the fourth wicket, Babar Azam found a reliable partner in Joel Davies. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 51-run stand to take the Sixers home in 19.1 overs.

Babar finished on 58 not out from 46 balls, striking four fours and a six, while Davies sealed the chase with an unbeaten 34 off 15, including three fours and two sixes.

For Renegades, Sandhu picked up two wickets, while Will Sutherland and Matthew Spoors claimed one each.

The win marked Sydney Sixers’ second victory of the season, lifting them to fifth on the BBL points table. Melbourne Renegades, meanwhile, remain seventh with just one win, sitting above only Sydney Thunder.

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HOBART: Veteran Matthew Wade played a vital cameo to power defending champions Hobart Hurricanes past Mohammad Rizwan’s Melbourne Renegades in the 15th fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 here at the Bellerive Oval on Monday.

Set 163, Hobart Hurricanes chased down the target in 19 overs with four wickets in hand.

Openers Tim Ward and Mitchell Owen put on 31 in 4.2 overs before the latter was caught behind for 10.

After an early wicket, Beau Webster and Tim Ward put on a brief 26-run partnership to bring the total to 59 in 8.4 overs.

However, Renegades made a strong comeback with the wickets of Ward (30 off 26 balls) and Ben McDermott for a duck to leave them reeling.

Despite the wickets, the brisk scoring rate put Hurricanes ahead in the game.

Beau Webster and Nikhil Chaudhary were the other two wickets to fall in a short span of time, while Matthew Wade played a finishing hand down the order to ensure that his side reached home.

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Wade, who top-scored with 43 off 20, striking two fours and four maximums, stitched two crucial stands with Rehan Ahmed and Chris Jordan, respectively, to see his side home.

For Melbourne Stars, Adam Zampa remained the silver lining with three wickets to his name.

Earlier, Melbourne Renegades put on 163-9 at the end of their 20 overs.

Josh Brown and Tim Seifert got off the blocks rapidly, adding 38 in the first three overs. The former was dismissed for a quick-fire 26 off 13 balls, with the aid of three fours and two sixes.

Meanwhile, Seifert continued on, propelling the score to 66 at the end of the powerplay. He was caught after scoring 26 off 14 balls with the aid of two fours and two sixes.

Soon after, Mohammad Rizwan departed for 16, which reduced Renegades to 72-3 in 6.4 overs.

At this stage, the visitors were poised to go big with an above-par scoring rate, but a late lower-order collapse limited their scoring and left them below par.

For Hobart Hurricanes, Nathan Ellis was among the pick of the bowlers with three scalps, while Rishad Hossain chipped in with two wickets.

With this loss, Renegades are now languishing at the bottom of the points table, with only one win out of three games.

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Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten shared that the fans of the team are eagerly waiting to see Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan in action in the upcoming season of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Speaking exclusively to ARY News via video link, Rosengarten highlighted the growing buzz around the tournament, noting that this season marks the first time several of Pakistan’s biggest names will feature across different franchises.

“The Big Bash League is just days away, and the inclusion of Pakistan’s superstar players has truly taken the tournament to another level,” Rosengarten said.

“For the first time, players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will represent different teams, and that has created huge anticipation.”

The Renegades GM said Rizwan’s arrival in Melbourne has generated particular excitement among local fans.

“In Australia, and especially in Melbourne, Pakistani fans are eagerly waiting for the Big Bash League,” he said.

“The fan clubs are ready, everyone is waiting to see when Mohammad Rizwan will step onto the field.”

Rosengarten also underlined the importance of Rizwan’s role within the Renegades setup, pointing to his partnership with Tim Seifert as a key asset.

“The combination of Mohammad Rizwan and Tim Seifert is very important for our team,” he said.

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“Along with that, young Pakistani cricketer Hasan Khan will also be a major point of interest this season.”

Acknowledging the presence of Pakistan’s star players across rival franchises, Rosengarten said the Renegades are prepared for the challenge.

“Babar Azam will be playing for Sydney Sixers, but we will step onto the field fully prepared,” he said. “Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will bring serious pace, but our batters will be ready to compete.”

When asked if he would have liked to sign another Pakistani player, Rosengarten named Saim Ayub as his top choice.

“If I had the opportunity to draft one more Pakistani player, I would definitely choose Saim Ayub,” he said.

Rosengarten also thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi for facilitating the participation of Pakistani players in the league.

“I want to thank PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi,” he said.

“The decision to issue No Objection Certificates to so many Pakistani superstars is very encouraging. The cricketing relationship between Pakistan and Australia is becoming stronger with each passing day.”

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Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan is excited and geared up for his maiden stint with the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Speaking in an interview with Cricket Australia, Rizwan shed light on his cricketing career  and deemed performing well in Australia crucial for a player’s success.

“If you perform there, the world will know you. I’m very excited to play in the Big Bash,” Rizwan said.

He highlighted difficult conditions down under while recalling his career-defining innings against Australia.

During Pakistan’s 2019 tour, Rizwan scored a gritty 95 at the Gabba against a full-strength Australian attack comprising Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon.

“I love the conditions in Australia because they challenge both batters and bowlers. One innings in Australia changed my career,” the former Pakistan captain recalled.

“After that series, people said, ‘This is Rizwan, the one who performed in Australia,’” he continued.

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The 33-year-old praised Australia’s players’ mentality and their passion on the field, which brings a different competition in the game.

“They play with heart, they’re brave, and they stick to what they decide. I love that.

Rizwan will be playing alongside several ace Pakistan players in the upcoming BBL.

“In PSL, when Shaheen comes, he attacks me, and I attack him,” Rizwan said of Shaheen Afridi while mentioning that he has never played his compatriots outside of Pakistan’s domestic cricket.

“We’ve never played against each other outside Pakistan domestic cricket. We are very close, but this is different. They’ll come with energy.”

For those unaware, the 15th edition of the BBL will run from 14 December to 25 January 2026, featuring 44 matches in prime early-evening slots.

Babar is set to make his BBL debut for the Sydney Sixers. Shaheen Afridi was signed by Brisbane Heat as their first overseas platinum pick, and Rizwan joins Melbourne Renegades.

Rauf will represent Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan was signed by Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali was drafted by Adelaide Strikers, and Hassan Khan will play for the Renegades.

READ: Pakistan players set to prioritise national duty over BBL 15: reports

DUBAI: Pakistan’s batting duo, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, have made significant leaps in the latest ICC ODI rankings following their stellar performances in the 3-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka.

Rizwan impressed with back-to-back unbeaten half-centuries in the second and third ODIs, jumping five spots to 23rd, while Babar, ending a two-year century drought, climbed to sixth with 722 points.

Fakhar Zaman also enjoyed a boost, moving up five places to 26th after scoring consecutive fifties. On the contrary, young opener Saim Ayub slipped three spots to 39th, while Salman Ali Agha retained his 16th position.

At the top, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell claimed the number one ODI batter spot, dethroning former Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

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Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, along with Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, hold the third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively.

Pakistan’s bowlers also made waves in the ICC ODI rankings. Spinner Abrar Ahmed entered the top 10, moving up 11 spots to ninth.

Haris Rauf rose five places to 23rd, and Mohammad Wasim Jr made a huge jump of 20 spots to 64th.

Meanwhile, captain Shaheen Afridi slipped five places to 21st, Naseem Shah dropped three spots, and spinner Mohammad Nawaz fell seven places to 71st.

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan continues to dominate the bowling charts, followed by England’s Jofra Archer and South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj.

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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan reached a significant milestone on Sunday, playing his 100th One-Day International (ODI) during the third match of the series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The right-handed batter made the occasion memorable by scoring an unbeaten 61 from 92 balls, his 19th ODI half-century, guiding Pakistan to victory.

Rizwan, who made his ODI debut in 2015 against Bangladesh in Mirpur, became the 33rd Pakistani cricketer to reach the 100-match mark.

He joined a distinguished group that includes legends like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Wasim Akram, as well as modern-day greats Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik.

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Among them, Shahid Afridi holds the record for the most ODI appearances for Pakistan with 393 matches, followed by Inzamam-ul-Haq with 375 and Wasim Akram with 356.

Pakistan’s head coach for white-ball cricket, Mike Hesson, congratulated Rizwan in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“All right, boys, it’s a special occasion when anyone plays their first game for Pakistan, but today we’ve got a player who’s playing his 100th,” Hesson said.

“He’s brought a heck of a lot of energy, desire, and skill to Pakistan, and I’m sure there’s plenty more ahead. But, Riz, congratulations, mate, 100 games today.”

 

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Mohammad Rizwan is the fourth-highest run-scorer in ODIs among Pakistan wicketkeepers, accumulating 2,921 runs to date.

Moin Khan leads the list with 3,266 runs, while the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar, hold the second and third spots.

In terms of dismissals, Rizwan has 106 in 79 innings, ranking fifth behind Moin Khan (287), Rashid Latif (220), Kamran Akmal (187), and Sarfaraz Ahmed (143).

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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s newly appointed ODI captain Shaheen Afridi hailed Mohammad Rizwan and spoke about their discussion before taking over the reins of the national side.

Shaheen replaced Rizwan as the captain of the 50-over side last month and led Pakistan to a 2-1 series triumph over South Africa.

Speaking on the eve of the ODI series opener against Sri Lanka, Shaheen talked about the discussion with the former skipper before taking the reins of the team.

“When I was captain earlier, I had spoken to Babar at that time about the whole situation. I won’t go into details about being removed, but when I was offered the captaincy again, Rizwan was the first person I spoke to. I asked him how he felt about it and what he thought,” he revealed in a press conference.

He lavished praise on Rizwan and stated that the wicket-keeper himself decided to step down from the role.

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“Rizwan is a great person — he himself decided to step back. So yes, we discussed it before the final decision was made,” Shaheen told reporters.

Regarding ace batter Babar Azam’s form, Shaheen expressed confidence in the right-hander to shine against Sri Lanka, despite being unable to notch up a century in international cricket since 2023.

“Babar is not the kind of player who can be judged by one or two innings. He’s already finding his rhythm again, and Insha’Allah, I’m confident he’ll score a hundred very soon,” he explained.

“I don’t think playing in front of a home crowd adds pressure. In fact, when your own people cheer for you, it gives you confidence. Playing at home, in familiar conditions, with fans backing you — that’s the best feeling,” he concluded.

The first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will begin tomorrow at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second and third matches of the series will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on November 13 and 15.

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DUBAI: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan made upward progress, while former captain Babar Azam slipped in the latest ICC ODI rankings released on Wednesday.

Rizwan, who played a vital role in Pakistan’s two-wicket win in the first ODI against South Africa, climbed one place to 23rd after his composed knock of 55 runs.

His crucial 91-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha proved pivotal in Pakistan’s successful chase.

Agha also reaped the rewards of his match-winning innings, surging nine spots to 30th in the rankings with 569 rating points.

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Meanwhile, Babar Azam, who managed just seven runs in the series opener, dropped one place to fifth with 728 points.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq also slipped to 42nd, while Saim Ayub retained his 53rd spot after a promising 39-run contribution in the same match.

Fakhar Zaman, who provided a brisk start at the top, gained one position to move into 26th place.

India’s Rohit Sharma continues to lead the ODI batting charts, followed by Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran and India’s Shubman Gill in the top three.

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In the bowling rankings, Pakistan’s new ODI captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, dropped one position to 15th with 587 points.

However, pacer Naseem Shah made an impressive leap, climbing 10 places to 33rd after his disciplined spell with the new ball.

Spinner Abrar Ahmed also moved up to 37th, while all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz rose three spots to 69th.

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan maintained his position as the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler, with South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj and England’s Jofra Archer occupying the next two spots.

READ: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub make gains in ICC T20I Rankings