Fresh twist in Mohammad Rizwan dismissal as Pakistan lose Boxing Day Test

Analysts have spotted an obscure detail that appeared during the most controversial moment in Australia’s victory over Pakistan.

The Boxing Day Test has been won by Australia in a thrilling finish on day four, but a crucial moment soured the game for Pakistan as the tourists crept towards a historic victory.

Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal was always going to divide the cricket world. DRS microphones deemed the ball had flicked past his wrist strap even though hotspot couldn’t find solid evidence.

Rizwan was furious at the call, gesturing the ball had hit him midway up his arm. From the naked eye, it looked as if he was right, but lengthy deliberation from the third umpire eventually sent him on his way and opened up the Pakistani tail.

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Adam Gilchrist definitely wasn’t convinced by the process.

“I wasn’t certain, all the replays I saw I didn’t feel with certainty that it had (hit his wristband),” he said.

“I think if it’s taken that many looks at that long of a time, there’s probably got to be a cut-off point.”

The unfortunate moment on day four of the Boxing Day Test has dominated headlines, with coach Mohammad Hafeez tearing DRS to shreds in the post-match press conference.

“Technology, I’m in favour of it if it’s giving you the benefit, but if it’s bringing some doubt and bringing some curse into the game it should not be acceptable by anyone,” Hafeez said.

“We play this beautiful game of cricket on the basics of the game, but sometimes the technology brings some decisions which obviously as a human we don’t understand. The ball hitting into the stumps (on DRS) is always out. Why is there an umpire’s call? I’ve never understood that.

“I think there are a lot of areas that need to be addressed for the betterment of cricket in general where technology is taking away from the instinct of the game.

“We play this game for the fans but the fans will never understand why this technology is inconsistent and the result of the game comes up differently. This technology is basically putting a curse on this beautiful game of cricket and we need to address it.”

But some sports commentators thought differently.

The moment that blew up day four.

Pakistan batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman argue with umpire Joel Wilson after Rizwan's dismissal.

“There was an odd little moment here when Cummins gets Rizwan with the bouncer and they won and they were like, yep we caught it,” popular American sports analyst Jomboy said.

“Pakistan were like na. But it hit something.

“Cummins reluctantly called for the DRS because we gotta get this guy out.

“He (Rizwan) is pointing to his arm. I hope he is not pointing to that white spot. It seems like he might be pointing to that white spot.

“I hope he is not because he showed up to the crease with that white spot on his arm. You can see it when he shows up.

“You can see it the whole time. You can see the wrist band on his gloves goes pretty high, but there is a big spot between the white spot and his wrist band.”

Rizwan says he got hit in the arm by Cummins bouncer but replay said otherwise pic.twitter.com/Cz6WXXUebq

— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) December 29, 2023

The Pakistanis padded up after the hosts were all out in their second innings for 262, after resuming on 187-6.

Mir Hamza was the best of the bowlers with 4-32, while Shaneen Afridi took 4-76. Carey slammed 53 to help Australia build their overnight lead. He resumed on 16 after Australia had bounced back from 16-4 thanks to an attacking 96 from Mitchell Marsh and Smith’s gutsy 50.

Carey, who made his first and only Test hundred in Melbourne a year ago, hit consecutive fours in his first over off Hasan Ali to build confidence.

At the other end, Starc lived dangerously and fell for nine with the impressive Afridi getting the breakthrough on a pitch still offering a bit for the bowlers.

Azam took the sharp chance at slip after Starc miscued a drive. Cummins made a breezy 16 but was caught behind by Rizwan off Jamal, who then bowled Lyon for 11, with Carey the last man out, lbw to Hamza.

The final Test of the three-match series is in Sydney next week.

Originally published as Fresh twist in Mohammad Rizwan dismissal as Pakistan lose Boxing Day Test