Renegades reportedly apologized to Rizwan after the ‘retired-out’ decision

The Big Bash League (BBL) team Melbourne Renegades has understandably apologized to Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan following the controversial 'retired out' decision.

Rizwan retired out as a tactical decision

The incident occurred during the Renegades’ crucial game against the Sydney Thunder, when Rizwan was called back by captain Will Sutherland, while batting at 26 off 23 balls.

The team called it a tactical decision to help accelerate run-scoring in a bid to save the game they eventually lost. However, the Pakistan batter is understood not to have taken the decision well, criticising its spontaneity and relaying his concerns to the management.

Sources close to the team have said that Sutherland has also apologized to Rizwan, acknowledging that neither the decision nor his approach to call him back was appropriate.

Rizwan has had a miserable debut stint with the Renegades, where he has scored at an average of 18.88 while striking at just a tick above run a ball. His team’s performance this year in the league has not been any different. They have won only three games this season and currently sit second-to-last with six points, out of the playoff race.

Designated batter and fielder rule

Incidents of retiring batters in T20 leagues have been on the rise since the start of the year, with six batters in different leagues having been sent out.

To allow teams to make more tactical decisions and capitalize the strengths of their players without burdening the team, the BBL has also announced it will introduce the “designated batter and fielder” rule from next season onward.

Under this rule, which resembles the IPL’s Impact Player Rule, each team will nominate a player before the coin toss. This player will be the designated batter, who will not be allowed to bowl or field.

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