Mohammad Rizwan Ignites Controversy With the Most Bizarre Ending to a Day’s Play

Another day of Test cricket, another rollercoaster of emotions with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan at the center of attention. Day 3 of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi was less of a cricket match and more of a drama series with more plot twists than a season finale. 

By the time the umpires mercifully called it a day, South Africa had clawed their way back from the brink, leaving Pakistan looking a bit shell-shocked and probably wondering where it all went wrong. And right in the thick of it all was Rizwan, a man who seemingly used up a lifetime’s supply of luck in a single, bizarre moment.

What Happened on the Final Ball?

Let’s set the scene. Pakistan is batting, the light is fading, and the day is crawling to a weary end. Rizwan, on a not-so-blistering 16 off 49 balls, defends a delivery. Then, in a moment of pure, unadulterated brain-fade, he turns around and casually knocks the bails off his own stumps with his bat. It’s the kind of thing you see in a village match, not from a seasoned international professional.

The South African keeper, Kyle Verreynne, naturally went up in a roaring appeal. It was a clear-cut hit-wicket. Game over for Rizwan, right? Wrong. In a twist that can only be described as peak cricket absurdity, the on-field umpires had already called “Stumps” just a split second before Rizwan decided to do his bit of impromptu wicket-keeping. The appeal was denied. 

Rizwan survived. You could almost hear the collective groan from the South African camp and the sigh of relief from every Pakistan fan watching. You can’t make this stuff up. Rizwan literally snatched survival from the jaws of a self-inflicted, slightly embarrassing dismissal.

How Did We Even Get Here? The Asif Afridi Show

Before the late-innings drama, the day belonged to one man: Asif Afridi. The debutant spinner, clearly not intimidated by the occasion, put on a masterclass. He came out firing, trapping Tony de Zorzi leg-before for a well-made 55, breaking a threatening 113-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs.

Not content with his first Test wicket, he followed it up by getting Dewald Brevis caught for a duck. It was carnage. Afridi continued his rampage, slicing through the South African middle order to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. For a while there, it looked like Pakistan was going to run away with the game, with South Africa teetering and the home crowd roaring.

South Africa’s Counter-Punch Knocks Pakistan Sideways

Just when you thought Pakistan had the game in a chokehold, South Africa reminded everyone why they’re such a formidable side. Kagiso Rabada and Senuran Muthusamy decided they’d had enough of being pushed around. They launched a blistering counter-attack that completely flipped the script. Rabada, playing with the freedom of a man with nothing to lose, smashed a fearless 71, while Muthusamy crept agonizingly close to a maiden century, ending on a sublime 89.

Their partnership was a gut punch to Pakistan’s hopes. They didn’t just stabilize the innings; they wrestled the lead away, pushing South Africa 71 runs ahead. The Pakistani bowlers, who had looked so dominant earlier, suddenly appeared tired and out of ideas. The momentum had not just shifted; it had done a full 180-degree turn and was speeding in the opposite direction.

So, What’s Next?

As we head into Day 4, the match is balanced on a knife’s edge, though you’d have to say the blade is leaning slightly in South Africa’s favor. Pakistan ended the day at 94/4, still trailing and with their captain Babar Azam and the incredibly fortunate Mohammad Rizwan at the crease.

The home side has a mountain to climb. They need a monumental effort from their remaining batsmen to set a challenging target. Meanwhile, South Africa will be smelling blood. They know a few early wickets on Day 4 could see them wrap this up and seal a famous victory. And as for Rizwan? He owes his luck, the umpires, and maybe the cricketing gods a very, very big thank you. He’ll be hoping to turn that incredible fortune into a match-winning innings, but after today, anything feels possible.