Twitter had fun at the Pakistan cricket team's expense on Wednesday as confusion reigned supreme during the third day of the opening Test match between the hosts and New Zealand in Karachi.
With regular Pakistan skipper Babar Azam not arriving on the field because of fever, Mohammad Rizwan took his place as a substitute.
With regular Pakistan skipper Babar Azam not arriving on the field because of fever, Mohammad Rizwan took his place as a substitute.
Captain Who?
Notably, Rizwan, who has long served the national team as Azam's deputy, was not included in the side for the game against the Kiwis – instead, it was veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed who was named in the XI ahead of him. But with Azam absent, nobody in the Pakistani team knew who was in charge of the side as Rizwan was seen setting the field and acting as the skipper.
As per the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the body which frames cricket's rules, a substitute cannot serve as the captain of a team. "A substitute shall not bowl or act as captain but may act as wicket-keeper only with the consent of the umpires," the MCC's rule states.
Later in the day, Pakistan chose to review a decision after New Zealand batter Devon Conway was given not out by the on-field umpire. Although it was Sarfaraz who opted for the Decision Review System (DRS), multiple videos showed that he consulted Rizwan before going ahead with the decision.
"Sarfaraz, who replaced Rizwan in the XI, is the official captain, while Rizwan, who is on as a substitute, seems to be unofficially in charge. Peak Pakistan cricket," one fan posted on Twitter.
"Substitute fielder is a stand in captain is insult to 10 others playing in the 11. Only PCB can do it," another said sarcastically.
"Sarfaraz, who replaced Rizwan in the XI, is the official captain, while Rizwan, who is on as a substitute, seems to be unofficially in charge. Peak Pakistan cricket," one fan posted on Twitter.
"Substitute fielder is a stand in captain is insult to 10 others playing in the 11. Only PCB can do it," another said sarcastically.
The Pakistan team's management subsequently issued a clarification that it was Sarfaraz and not Rizwan who was acting as the stand-in skipper in Azam's absence.
But the actions of the two players were in complete contrast with what the Pakistani management conveyed to the media.