Controversy erupts after Mohammad Rizwan leads Pakistan in Babar Azam's absence 

Babar was out due to flu [Source: Associated Press]

Day three of the ongoing first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand started with a slight controversy after Mohammad Rizwan was seen captaining the side in the field in the absence of regular skipper Babar Azam.

According to Cricket Pakistan, Azam did not take the field due to a viral infection, and Test vice-captain Rizwan came in as a replacement player to take over the captaincy charge. As per ICC rules, a substitute player cannot lead the side. 

After the intervention of on-field umpires and match referee, Pakistan team management asked former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed to marshal the troops on the field. Apart from Azam, batters Shan Masood and Agha Salman are also suffering from viral flu.  

Rizwan was dropped after a string of poor performances in Tests this year, forcing Ahmed's entry in the playing XI.

At time of publishing, New Zealand are 333 for 3 in reply to Pakistan's 438 all out with Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell batting on 52* and 41*, respectively with the post-lunch session underway. 

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