Mohammad Rizwan Survives Hit-Wicket As South Africa’s Appeal Goes Unanswered | Watch | Cricket News

Mohammad Rizwan is batting on 16 with Babar Azam (Picture credit: AP)

Star Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan on Wednesday escaped a hit-wicket scenario despite a strange antic around the stumps, even as South Africa’s desperate appeal was turned down by the umpires, with an MCC law saving Rizwan and Pakistan.

On the final delivery of the day, spinner Keshav Maharaj, who had taken a five-for in the first innings, bowled a floated ball outside off that Rizwan drove to extra cover. Moments later, the latter dislodged the bails with his bat while walking off, prompting an immediate appeal from wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and his teammates. He even engaged in an animated discussion with on-field umpire Sharfuddoula, but the official dismissed the appeal.

Replays later revealed that the fielder had not returned the ball when Rizwan dislodged the bails, suggesting that South Africa’s appeal had merit. However, the umpire had already called ‘over’ before the incident, rendering Rizwan safe.

Watch the video here:

The striker isn’t out under MCC’s law 35.2, should his/her wicket be put down in any of the ways referred to in 35.1 if any of the following apply:

– It occurs after the striker has completed any action in receiving the delivery, other than in 35.1.1.2 to 35.1.1.4.

– It occurs when the striker is in the act of running, other than setting off immediately for the first run.

– It occurs when the striker is trying to avoid being run out or stumped.

– It occurs when the striker is trying to avoid a throw-in at any time.

– The bowler, after entering the delivery stride, doesn’t deliver the ball. In this case, either umpire shall immediately call and signal Dead ball. 

– The delivery is a no-ball.

In Rizwan’s case, after playing the ball to cover, he didn’t attempt to run and dislodged the bails while walking away. As this happened after completing his shot and without any further batting action, it didn’t qualify as a hit-wicket under Law 35.

As per Law 35.2, a batter can’t be given out if the stumps are disturbed after playing the ball. Hence, despite the ball still being in play, Rizwan was declared not out.