Mohammad Rizwan captain: Why Babar Azam is not captaining Pakistan in PAK vs NZ Karachi test Day 2

The 1st test between Pakistan and New Zealand has been a run-fest so far. Pakistan posted a big total in the first innings, whereas the New Zealand batters are also playing with a lot of comfort on the flat Karachi track. Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam has not stepped on the field on day two.

In reply to Pakistan’s total of 438 runs, New Zealand were 245-2 at the lunch break on day two. Tom Latham and Devon Conway stitched a partnership of 183 runs for the first wicket. Latham got out after scoring 113 runs, whereas Conway missed his century and scored 92 runs.

Considering the quality of the wicket, the result is looking difficult at the moment. However, a lot of time is left in the game, and we have seen some unusual things happening in the game.

Mohammad Rizwan captain

An interesting thing happened on the field during the 2nd day of the Karachi test. Pakistan’s regular captain Babar Azam did not step on the field as he was suffering from the viral flu. Agha Salman, who was absent from the field yesterday as well was also missing out due to flu only.

Mohammad Rizwan, who is not playing the match came in as a substitute fielder for Babar. Rizwan is the designated vice-captain of the side, but according to Pakistan’s team management words, Rizwan was acting as the stand-in captain as he was seen moving the fielders on the ground.

However, according to law 24.1.2, “A substitute shall not bowl or act as captain but may act as wicketkeeper only with the consent of the umpires.” After the clarification, Pakistan team management said that not Rizwan but Sarfaraz Ahmed is the stand-in captain in the absence of Babar.

An intriguing incident happened on the last ball of the 53rd over. Nauman Ali was bowling to Devon Conway, and the umpire rejected the appeal, Pakistan wanted to review to which both Sarfaraz and Rizwan signaled ‘T Sign’.