Mohammad Rizwan’s difficult run in the Big Bash League hit a new low on Monday, January 12, when the former Pakistan captain was retired out during Melbourne Renegades’ clash against Sydney Thunder. In a move that stunned fans and analysts alike, Rizwan was asked to walk back to the pavilion to make way for Will Sutherland as the Renegades looked for late-innings acceleration.
Rizwan had struggled throughout his stay at the crease, scoring 26 off 23 balls with two boundaries and a solitary six. He faced the most deliveries during the Power Surge, a phase designed for aggressive hitting, but was unable to lift the scoring rate. With the innings slipping away, the Renegades’ management made a ruthless call, and Rizwan became the first overseas player to be retired out in BBL history.
The moment summed up what has been a disappointing tournament for the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter. Once regarded as one of the most reliable anchors in T20 cricket, Mohammad Rizwan has managed only 167 runs in eight innings this season, with a strike rate just above 100.
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For a player signed as a marquee overseas recruit, those numbers are well below expectations. Tellingly, the six he hit on Monday was his first maximum of the entire campaign.
Muhammad Rizwan has been retired out by the Melbourne Renegades 👀 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/AuTGoTIHqb
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2026
This poor BBL outing has also complicated Rizwan’s hopes of returning to Pakistan’s T20 World Cup plans. He has not played a T20I since December 2024, and his lack of form in high-pressure franchise cricket will do little to convince selectors that he is ready for another global tournament.
Pakistan’s think tank is already facing tough decisions in the batting department. Both Rizwan and Babar Azam, once the pillars of Pakistan’s T20 setup, have struggled to impose themselves. Babar has scored 154 runs in eight matches this season, and neither player has featured in Pakistan’s recent major tournaments since being left out after the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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For Rizwan, the retirement in the BBL was not just a tactical decision—it felt like a harsh reminder that modern T20 cricket leaves little room for slow starts. To reclaim his place at the top level, he now needs more than reputation; he needs runs, intent, and a statement performance.
