Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan found himself at the centre of a debate after he was asked to retire out during a Big Bash League (BBL) match between Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder. The decision, taken by Renegades captain Will Sutherland, came after Rizwan scored 26 off 23 balls, an innings that again brought focus on criticism around his strike rate in T20 cricket.The move sparked discussion in Pakistan’s cricket circles, with several former players and fans calling it disrespectful for a player of Rizwan’s standing. The incident was discussed on a Pakistani channel, GTV Sports, where former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was asked to share his views. During the show, the host also raised the question of whether Rizwan should leave the league and return to Pakistan as a mark of protest.

The host said, “What happened to Rizwan has not only caused mockery worldwide but has also created a sense of humiliation. Some are even saying Rizwan should leave the league and return home. During the first season of the IPL, Younis Khan was kept on the bench while playing alongside you for the Rajasthan Royals. He famously stated, ‘I am the captain of Pakistan; I will not sit on the bench. You must send me back with respect.’ we have seen players stand up for themselves like that.”Akmal agreed that the situation should not have unfolded the way it did but said modern T20 cricket demands quick scoring. “Absolutely. I also believe this should not happen; he is our top player and a proven performer. However, you have to realise how fast these leagues are. Every country is now following the modern-day approach to cricket, so it is vital to develop yourself accordingly. Rizwan has been playing with the same mindset since he started in T20s. In Australia, they view the game through a specific lens. We have seen similar tactical moves in the ILT20 and the IPL,” Akmal said.He pointed out that such decisions are not limited to one league or one player. Akmal recalled an incident from the IPL involving India batter Tilak Varma. “Even a key player like Tilak Varma was called back to the dugout. While these moves are based on the match situation, Rizwan needs to consider his future path,” he said.Akmal concluded by stressing that Rizwan needs to adapt if he wants to continue playing T20 cricket at the highest level. “I have been saying for three or four years that the way he is playing will make the future very difficult. Modern-day cricket is moving at a rapid pace, and you must adapt. It should not have happened to our best player and the Pakistan captain, but he has, in a sense, given them a reason to make that call.“