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Babar Azam Exposed Mohammad Rizwan's Costly Wicketkeeping Blunder - Watch Video

Babar Azam’s quick thinking penalized Mohammad Rizwan (X)Babar Azam’s quick thinking penalized Mohammad Rizwan (X)

During the PSL 2024 playoff match on March 14 earlier this year, cricket fans witnessed an unusual moment that added a twist to the contest between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi. The dramatic incident unfolded when Peshawar was unexpectedly awarded five penalty runs—a rare occurrence that left players and spectators buzzing.

Babar Azam's sharp eyes spot Rizwan's glove mishap

It was Babar Azam's sharp-eyed observation that turned the tide, albeit briefly, and the cricketing world couldn’t stop talking about it. The scene was set during the 11th over of Zalmi’s innings, as Tom Kohler-Cadmore played a deft paddle sweep off Khushdil Shah’s bowling.

The ball trickled towards fine leg, and Multan Sultans’ captain, Mohammad Rizwan, instinctively dashed from behind the stumps to chase it down. However, in the heat of the moment, one of Rizwan's gloves fell to the ground—a seemingly minor detail that would soon have major consequences.

As the ball was hurled back into the field, it collided with Rizwan’s discarded glove, triggering confusion. Babar Azam, the alert Zalmi skipper at the non-striker’s end, was quick to point out the mishap.

A heated discussion followed between Mohammad Rizwan, his teammates, and on-field umpire Aleem Dar, with everyone eager to understand the ramifications of the incident. Babar’s sharp awareness was about to tip the scales, at least temporarily.



Dar, ever the experienced umpire, referred to the laws of the game and cited Law 28.2.1.3, which clearly states that a fielder is deemed to have fielded the ball illegally if "he/she wilfully discards a piece of clothing, equipment or any other object which subsequently makes contact with the ball."

To add salt to the wound, Law 28.2.3 reinforced the penalty for such a violation. The verdict? Five penalty runs were awarded to Peshawar Zalmi—an unexpected boon.

Multan’s Bowlers Seal the Deal Despite the Penalty

While the five runs were a momentary windfall, they ultimately proved to be a mere drop in the ocean. Multan Sultans’ bowlers were on fire, restricting Zalmi to a modest total of 146-7. 

Multan’s batters, unfazed by the earlier chaos, chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 147-3 in just 18.3 overs to book their place in the final.

In hindsight, the incident became one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament, not for its impact on the outcome but for the sheer rarity of such penalties.