SYDNEY: The BBL match featuring the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder saw a remarkable and strange occurrence where the Renegades captain took a chance and made a highly debated decision of sending the batsman Mohammad Rizwan off the field because of his slow batting.
The 33rd match of BBL’s 15th season saw this event unfold on Monday. Rizwan, who could score just 26 runs off 23 balls, was told to leave the pitch by the Renegades’ skipper Will Sutherland. Though Rizwan tried hard, his batting had been a little slow and Sutherland decided to send him out.
In a clip that Big Bash League posted on social media, Sutherland can be seen signalling Rizwan to exit the field, while he himself comes in as the replacement batter.
The commentators on the broadcast also noted that a decision could have been made earlier and agreed that the circumstances justified that decision.
The clip rapidly spread on social media and many cricket fans voiced their opinions. Several fans termed the forced retirement as shameful and bemoaned the way Rizwan was handled.
Babar Azam shines on New Year’s day with a brilliant unbeaten fifty in BBL
Babar Azam, scored fifty runs in the Big Bash League (BBL) game against the Melbourne Renegades, thus marking the beginning of the year splendidly.
As part of the New Year’s Day festivities, the Sydney Sixers registered a comfortable six-wicket win against the Melbourne Renegades. Babar was again the leading player of the team in the victorious campaign. This is the second occasion that Babar has crossed the fifty-run mark for the Sydney Sixers in this tournament. It is the second time for Babar to cross the fifty-run limit for the Sydney Sixers in this tournament.
Babar was so much in control that he made 58 runs in only 46 balls, consisting of 4 fours and a six. The Sixers’ win can be attributed largely to his scoring. Consequently, Rizwan’s side could not hold their score and thus, the Melbourne Renegades faced a loss.
The Melbourne Renegades, the initial team to bat, used up all the 20 overs and scored 164 runs losing 9 wickets. This was the target that the opposing team needed to achieve to win.
In contrast, the Sydney Sixers only needed 19. 1 overs to get past the target losing four wickets in the process. Babar Azam was the top scorer and he got claps for his calm and elegant showing of cricket.
The victory enhanced the position of Sydney Sixers in the tournament and it was a day to remember for Babar Azam as well.
