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Why Did Rizwan Refuse To Shake Hands With McGrath Family? Report Explains

image-lr3adu5tRizwan had a below-par time in Australia Tests (AP Photo)

Pakistan cricketers engaged in warm greetings and handshakes with Australian legend Glenn McGrath and the members of his family during the New Year's Test at SCG bar one player. 

Experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan shockingly refused to shake hands with the female members of the McGrath family as they welcomed the visiting side onto the cricket field on Day 1 of the special 'Pink Test'. 

All other members of the Shan Masood-led side shook hands graciously with the ladies but Rizwan didn't as the cricketer once again laid bare his overly religious stance and only folded hands in a gesture of reverence before he was responded to in equal measure. 


Rizwan Refuses Handshake With McGrath Family 

The incident is from the opening day of the just-concluded Test match where the McGrath family had arrived for the traditional 'Pink Test', which is organised to raise awareness against breast cancer to commemorate the untimely passing of the legend's wife Jane back in 2008. 

The iconic SCG ground turns pink on the special occasion on an annual basis during the Australian cricket summer and serves as a platform for teams and fans to make donations towards the McGrath Foundation. 

Notably, this isn't the first instance when Rizwan has reinforced his Islamic faith on the cricket field, having previously also refused to interact and meet eye-to-eye with female anchors and broadcasting team members during his interviews. 

While religion and faith is entirely personal to the cricketer, his expression of the same has tended to raise debates among the fans on social media. While some laud him for sticking to his religious ways, a section accuses him of being an extremist. 

Rizwan was one of the sole bright spots for Pakistan in their disappointing 3-0 Test series whitewash in Australia, making an impressive return to the outfit with scores of 42, 35, 88 and 28 to re-establish himself as the team's preferred wicketkeeper-batter.