PAK vs NZ 1st Test: Did Mohammad Rizwan break law by captaining his side as substitute?
Babar Azam, Shan Masood, and Salman Agha did not enter the field at the start of day 3 and Mohammad Rizwan stepped in as a substitute.
New Delhi: Mohammad Rizwan, who came in as a substitute on day 3 of the first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand, was seen moving the fielders and seemingly changing the bowlers. The law bars any substitute from captaincy and Sarfaraz Ahmed was named the stand-in captain while Babar Azam was down with flu. Rizwan’s presence in the leadership role has raised questions on the Pakistan team.
Babar Azam, Shan Masood, and Salman Agha did not enter the field at the start of day 3 and Mohammad Rizwan stepped in as a substitute. While he was seen doing the bowling and fielding changes, the decisions regarding the reviews were taken by Sarfaraz, who is back in the playing XI after a long time.
What does the law say?
Law 24.1.2 states that a substitute shall not ‘bowl or act as captain’ but may act as a wicketkeeper with the consent of the umpires.
Was Mohammad Rizwan captaining his side?
According to the Pakistani team, Sarfaraz Ahmed was the stand-in captain in the absence of Babar Azam. Though Rizwan is the vice-captain of the side, no player is allowed to lead the team as a substitute. However, according to the laws, any fielder is allowed to make the field changes and Rizwan was doing the same.
Rewarded for the tight lines maintained this morning ☝️
Excellent review ?#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/jejexv1v7n
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 28, 2022
A team can take a review with a captain’s consent and in the 53rd over, Sarfaraz reviewed the umpire’s not-out decision when Devon Conway was stuck on the pads. The decision was overturned in Pakistan’s favour.
At lunch on day 3, New Zealand stands at 245/2 after Tom Latham scored a century and Conway scored 92(176). The Blackcaps trail by 193 runs as Pakistan scored 438 runs, courtesy of 161 by Babar Azam and a hundred by Agha Salman. Surprisingly, Sarfaraz was called back in place of Rizwan, who was not able to score big against England. Sarfaraz went on to score 86 off 153 to contribute to Pakistan’s total.