In a rare and controversial incident during the Big Bash League (BBL) match on Monday, January 12, 2026, Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was 'retired out' by his team, the Melbourne Renegades, while playing against the Sydney Thunder. Rizwan, who was batting at number four, had scored 26 runs from 23 deliveries, including two boundaries and a six. This knock was widely described as 'slow' and 'sluggish,' failing to provide the much-needed acceleration towards the end of the innings. His overall performance in the ongoing BBL season has also been subpar, with a strike rate hovering just above 100 in eight matches. The decision to retire Rizwan out was a tactical one made by the Melbourne Renegades' captain, Will Sutherland, to bring in a batter capable of increasing the scoring rate in the crucial death overs. This move resulted in Rizwan becoming the first overseas player in BBL history, and only the third player overall without an injury, to be retired out. The incident generated significant buzz and was widely termed 'embarrassing' for the Pakistani international cricketer across various news platforms and social media. However, the tactical substitution did not entirely pay off for the Renegades, as captain Sutherland himself was run out for just one run shortly after coming to the crease. The team managed to add only 16 runs in the final two overs after Rizwan's departure, finishing their innings at 170 for 8. The Sydney Thunder subsequently chased down their DLS-adjusted target, winning the match by four wickets. The event highlights the growing pressure on batters in T20 cricket to maintain high strike rates, a factor that has also impacted Rizwan's standing in Pakistan's national T20 squad.