Pakistan's prominent wicketkeeper-batter, Mohammad Rizwan, found himself at the center of a significant controversy during the 2025-26 Big Bash League (BBL) season when he was 'retired out' by his Melbourne Renegades captain, Will Sutherland. The incident occurred on Monday, January 12, 2026, during a match against the Sydney Thunder. Rizwan, who was batting on a sluggish 26 runs off 23 balls, was tactically asked to leave the crease to allow a more aggressive hitter to accelerate the scoring rate in the death overs. This move marked Rizwan as the first overseas player in BBL history to be retired out. The decision sparked widespread debate and strong reactions, particularly within Pakistan's cricketing circles. Many fans and former cricketers, including Kamran Akmal, expressed that the act was 'humiliating' for a player of Rizwan's stature. Discussions on Pakistani sports channels even raised the question of whether Rizwan should 'leave' the league and 'return home' as a mark of protest against the perceived disrespect. However, Rizwan himself has clarified that such reports are false and that he has no intention of abandoning his Big Bash League contract. He emphasized his commitment to obeying his captain's decisions, stating it is his duty and aligned with his principles. The controversy surrounding Rizwan was further amplified when, just a day later on January 13, 2026, another Pakistani player, Hasan Ali, committed an embarrassing fielding blunder during a BBL match between Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers. These two incidents put Pakistani players under intense scrutiny and became major talking points in international cricket, especially for audiences in India who closely follow the sport.