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Mohammad Rizwan escapes bizarre hit-wicket drama after clipping bails in SA Test

Akshita Patel

Mohammad Rizwan causes drama in Rawanpindi Test [Source: YouTube]Mohammad Rizwan causes drama in Rawanpindi Test [Source: YouTube]

In one of the strangest moments, Mohammad Rizwan survived a hit-wicket appeal despite hitting his own wickets. And Rizwan had to thank a rarely invoked cricket law.

It happened during Pakistan’s second innings of the 2nd Test against South Africa when the hosts were 94/4, trailing by just 23 runs. 

Facing Keshav Maharaj, Rizwan drove a tossed-up delivery towards cover. But right after playing the shot, as he turned to walk back towards the pavilion, his bat accidentally struck the stumps, knocking the bails off.

Mohammed Rizwan’s hit-wicket scare ends with a rare rule rescue

The South African fielders immediately went up in appeal for hit wicket, believing they had dismissed Mohammed Rizwan just before stumps. 

But umpire Sharfuddoula instantly declared him not out, leaving the Proteas clearly upset.

Replays showed the ball was still in play and hadn't been returned by the fielder yet when Rizwan struck the stumps, which made things more confusing.

The incident sparked a lot of chatter among commentators and fans, who wondered whether Mohammad Rizwan had just gotten lucky or if the umpire had made a mistake.

But as it happened, the ruling was absolutely right as per cricket's rulebook.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), who maintain the laws of the game, make this clear in Law 35.2, which details when a batter cannot be dismissed hit wicket.

The law states that a batter is not out if they break the stumps after completing the act of playing the delivery, unless they are trying a run or evading being run out.

In Rizwan's situation, he had already completed his shot play and was not even trying to take a run. His bat striking the stumps was solely accidental and occurred after his batting action had concluded.

Thus, in terms of Law 35.2, he could not be ruled out. So while South Africa may have felt hard done by, the rules were crystal clear that Mohammad Rizwan was safe.

As play resumes, Pakistan will hope their wicketkeeper-batter can make South Africa pay for their missed chance. With Babar Azam unbeaten on 49 and Rizwan on 16 at stumps, the hosts still have a fighting chance to turn the match around.