Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan faced a controversial moment during the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season while playing for the Melbourne Renegades. In a match against the Sydney Thunder on January 12, 2026, Rizwan was "retired out" by his own captain, Will Sutherland, after scoring 26 runs off 23 balls. This tactical decision, made in the 18th over, aimed to accelerate the team's scoring rate as Rizwan was struggling to find boundaries and had a slow strike rate. The move was legal under cricket laws but is rare, making Rizwan the first overseas player in BBL history to be retired out. The incident garnered widespread attention and generated considerable debate, particularly within Pakistani cricket circles, with some labelling it a "humiliating" act. NDTV Sports, the original source, reported on this controversial dismissal, highlighting the "humiliating" aspect. However, the headline's claim that Rizwan was "Told To Leave BBL Midway, Return To Pakistan" is an exaggeration and misrepresentation. The act of being retired out refers to his dismissal from a specific innings, not his premature departure from the entire tournament. Reports from January 13-14, 2026, indicate Rizwan was still involved with the Melbourne Renegades, with upcoming matches for the team where he was listed as part of the squad. The controversy primarily revolves around the tactical decision and Rizwan's performance, rather than any instruction for him to abandon his BBL commitments.