In the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, the Australian pacers performed a masterful job of bowling on Day 4, helping their side defeat Pakistan by 79 runs. But in the wake of the meeting, Muhammad Rizwan contentious discharge has become a hot topic of conversation.
On the fourth day of the Test match, the wicketkeeper-batter was making a fine contribution to Pakistan’s attempt to meet a formidable 317-run total. Pat Cummins bowled a bouncer in the 61st over that Rizwan attempted to duck. But before landing in wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s mitts, the ball appeared to go near the sweatband fastened to his right glove.
The Australians contested the on-field umpire’s ruling that it was not out. An unhappy Muhammad Rizwan was forced to return to the pavilion when the third umpire, having seen a number of replays, urged the on-field umpire to reverse his ruling. A photo of Rizwan’s forearm with a white mark visible is currently trending on social media. On its route to the Australian wicketkeeper, several supporters believe the ball struck their forearm rather than the sweatband.
Look at that mark on Mohammad Rizwan’s arm, it’s so high. That was clearly not out, the benefit of doubt should go to the batter. We were robbed 💔💔 #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/mKJNR5BNAg
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 30, 2023
In order to secure Australia’s series triumph, captain Pat Cummins led from the front with the ball.
Interestingly, the player was removed from the game at a very important point. After Pakistan had collapsed to 162/5, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan combined for 57 runs to reduce the number of runs needed to 98. The latter was batting on 35 of 62 balls and was comfortably positioned at the crease. The outcome, however, was all but certain when he left because Pakistan’s lower order would never be able to match Australia’s relentless pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, who in particular had exceptional bouncer range.
Australia won the series 2-0 with one game remaining thanks to their 79-run triumph. On Wednesday, January 3, the third and last Test match of the series gets underway in Sydney. It is possible that Pakistan’s hopes of winning an elusive Test series in Australia were dashed. But there are important World Test Championship (WTC) points up for grabs, along with the opportunity to win a Test on Australian territory for the first time in 28 years.
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