Mohammad Rizwan's miserable stint in Australia sunk to a new low when he was retired out by the Melbourne Renegades against the Sydney Thunder in a Big Bash League match. Fans were shocked by this decision, which in turn raised eyebrows over the controversial rising issues regarding Rizwan's form in T20 cricket. Batting in the middle-order, Rizwan could not lick the rhythm at the death-end of the innings as the ball against the bat line went to pieces. He was 26 from 23 balls, featuring just two fours and a solitary six. Though virtually all his deliveries were with the power surge, he failed to accelerate when most required quick runs. Unwanted Record in the BBL Muhammad Rizwan has been retired out by the Melbourne Renegades 👀 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/AuTGoTIHqb — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2026 Rizwan became the very first overseas player in the history of the Big Bash League to have retired-out, an unwanted record for a player of such stature. The move was done for tactical purposes, but it fettered the pressure on the Renegades in pushing for a better finish. That made the entire moment worse because the six he hit during that innings was his very first six for the whole season. For a player known for his consistency and smart shot selection, this has been quite a disappointing lack of impact. Also Read | Delhi all rounder earns maiden ODI cap in place of injured Washington Sundar, will join team at Rajkot Numbers Talk About an Alarmingly Telling Worry So far, Rizwan has 167 runs in eight matches, scoring at a rate just above 100. The figures are hardly anywhere near expectations in the present context of T20 cricket, especially in a league like the BBL. He was one of the biggest international signings this season, yet his returns have not lived up to that hype. Fans and experts alike expected Rizwan to make a strong showing of himself in Australia, but much to the contrary, it has turned out. T20 World Cup Selection Under Threat The Big Bash League was going to be a red-carpet opportunity for Rizwan to plead his cause for selection in Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad; however, the opposite has turned out with his poor showings, probably sinking his chances. According to reports, Pakistan's selectors are likely to consider including only one from Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan in the World Cup squad. Babar also had a poor run in the BBL, scoring just 154 runs from eight innings with two fifties. Both dropped post the T20 World Cup 2024, but the fortunes of Pakistan did not improve. After stringing losses, including three defeats against India in the Asia Cup 2025, the PCB was forced into a rethink. Also Read | Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram stand out as alternatives for Bangladesh in '26 T20 World Cup What Lies Ahead? Rizwan's ticking time bomb is fast approaching an end, given the T20 World Cup is just around the corner. The pressure, however, clearly builds; whether the selectors will consider experience over form remains to be seen.