Watch: Mohammad Rizwan's Theatrics Cost Pakistan Team A Precious Run In Dunedin T20I

Mohammad Rizwan and theatrics go hand in hand. The wicketkeeper-batsman has developed a penchant for on-field theatrics and he was at it again on Wednesday (January 17) when New Zealand and Pakistan locked horns against each other in the third T20I in Dunedin.

The task was cut out for Mohammad Rizwan and his teammates after the Pakistan bowlers once again failed to do well on the field. Asked to bat first, New Zealand rode on Finn Allen’s blistering century to post a huge total of 224/7 in the allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Pakistan were off to a poor start as they lost the wickets of Saim Ayub cheaply before Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam steadied the ship although the duo could not take their team over the line in the must-win clash.

Mohammad Rizwan’s theatrics cost his team one run:

Even though he was under immense pressure, Mohammad Rizwan managed to leave the fans and the commentators in splits with his on-field theatrics. His action also cost his team one run with his actions. The incident took place in the final over of the powerplay when he was facing Matt Henry.

On the fifth ball of the over, the New Zealand pacer’s delivery was hit towards deep mid-wicket by Mohammad Rizwan. While playing the shot, the Pakistan batter lost his balance and inadvertently let the bat slip from his hands. Despite the apparent lack of effort to pick up the bat, he opted to go for the run without it.

However, his decision to take the run without the bat cost his team a precious run as ended up being short on the first run.

Watch:

peak theatre Rizzzzi 😭😭pic.twitter.com/qRrA3HSPgi

— Rizwan Biggest Fan (@fizz_Riz16) January 17, 2024

Mohammad Rizwan was eventually dismissed for 24 runs. Pakistan, on the other hand, once again failed to challenge New Zealand and lost the game by 45 runs. While Babar Azam scored his third fifty in a row in the series, it was not enough for his team to get over the finishing line in the do-or-die clash. Pakistan finished their innings on 179/7 as New Zealand clinched the series with two games remaining.