BBL 2025-26: Rizwan should leave the league and return home, says Kamran Akmal

Mohammad Rizwan (Source: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has advised Mohammad Rizwan to return to Pakistan from the ongoing season of the 2025-26 Big Bash League. Rizwan was retired out by Melbourne Renegades in the league stage clash against Sydney Thunder for not being able to adequately accelerate through the team’s innings.

Akmal was left displeased with the manner in which the incident involving Rizwan has made Pakistan cricket a laughingstock in the global cricketing circles. He advised Rizwan to not be a part of the edition any more, and return to home to shift his focus to contributing for the Men in Green on the international stage.

“We have spoken at length on various shows and on YouTube about how Babar and Rizwan need to improve their strike rates. What happened to Rizwan has not only led to mockery across the world but has also created a sense of humiliation. Some people are even saying that Rizwan should leave the league and return home,” shared Akmal while speaking on GTV Sports.

Akmal recounted how Younis Khan, who was Pakistan’s captain during when IPL 2008 was underway, was firm in his request to be let off the roster if the player did not manage to get into the eventual champions’ XI. Akmal encouraged Rizwan to follow suit.

“During the first season of the IPL, Younis Khan was kept on the bench while playing for Rajasthan Royals. He famously said, ‘I am the captain of Pakistan; I will not sit on the bench. You must send me back with respect.’ We have seen players stand up for themselves like that,” he added.

Rizwan has not had the best of outings for Melbourne Renegades this season so far. He has scored only 167 runs in his first eight innings. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter’s meagre strike rate of 101.82 has been a topic of massive controversy as well.

Speaking of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan have not yet announced their squad for the showpiece event. Rizwan, who last played Pakistan in the shortest format of the game in December 2024, has been out of favour ever since. It seems highly unlikely that the cricketer will be a part of the 20-over setup, for the tournament starting February 7.

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