AUS vs PAK: Mark Waugh Delivers No Nonsense Verdict On Mohammad Rizwan's Controversial Dismissal

Former Australia batsman Mark Waugh has given his verdict on Mohammad Rizwan‘s controversial dismissal during the second innings of the recently concluded second Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Chasing 317 runs for their first Test win in Australia since 1995, Pakistan were on 219 for 5 with the partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman worth 57 runs. The match was delicately poised when Pat Cummins dismissed Mohammad Rizwan to trigger an inexplicable collapse. Pakistan went on to lose their last four wickets for just 18 runs to be bowled out for 237 and lost the game by 79 runs.

The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman was adjudged caught behind by the third umpire after Australia successfully challenged the on-field decision of not out. The third umpire adjudged that the ball struck the right-handed batsman’ glove on the way through to Alex Carey.

Mohammad Rizwan, however, was not impressed with the call and did not shy away from venting his frustration. He looked upset after being given out and was seen arguing with on-field officials Michael Gough and Joel Wilson while also claiming that the ball had grazed his forearm and not the wristband of his batting glove.

Mark Waugh on Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal:

After the game ended, Pakistan’s team director Mohammad Hafeez also took a dig at the third umpire’s decision, saying: “I spoke to him, and he’s a very honest person. What he said to me (was) he did not even feel that it touched anywhere near the gloves. There should be a conclusive evidence to reverse the decision of umpire, that’s what I know.

“The umpire gave it not out, and there was no very conclusive kind of evidence where the decision has to be turned over. So I don’t know how to say further than this but this technology is putting the curse on this beautiful game of cricket. We need to address it very rightly,” he added.

While the Pakistan camp has maintained that Mohammad Rizwan was not out, Mark Waugh has said that the batsman was out. Taking to X, the Australia great wrote that Rizwan looked out, claiming that the ball had grazed the glove. He also took a dig at Pakistan’s poor fielding during the Test as he wrote:

“Well done to both teams on a exciting Boxing Day test match played on a excellent pitch. The old saying ‘catches win matches’ was a big factor. As for the Rizwan decision it clearly looked out to me with the ball brushing part of the wristband on the glove.”

Well done to both teams on a exciting Boxing Day test match played on a excellent pitch. The old saying ‘catches win matches’ was a big factor. As for the Rizwan decision it clearly looked out to me with the ball brushing part of the wristband on the glove.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) December 29, 2023