Mohammad Rizwan Trolls England's "Bazball" Approach

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan trolled England’s famed “Bazball” approach during the the ongoing third Test in Rawalpindi. On Day 1, what started as a promising innings for the visitors quickly turned into a collapse, and Rizwan couldn’t help but add some spice to the situation with his cheeky taunt.

For those not in the loop, “Bazball” refers to England’s aggressive, high-paced batting strategy, a style that has become their signature under coach Brendon McCullum.

The idea is to play fearless cricket, pile on runs quickly, and keep the pressure on the opposition. But Pakistan’s spinners had other ideas.

England’s Bright Start…

After winning the toss, England made the expected decision to bat first. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley looked comfortable at the crease, putting up a solid 54-run partnership. Duckett was in particularly good form, scoring 52 runs with some classic shots.

But things changed the moment Noman Ali dismissed Crawley for 29. That wicket was like pulling the first thread from a sweater—everything unraveled from there. England went from 54/1 to 98/5 in what felt like no time at all, with Sajid Khan and Noman Ali tearing through the batting order.

The much-hyped “Bazball” approach came crashing down, and Pakistan had England’s number. Sajid Khan was the star of the day, taking an impressive six wickets, while Noman Ali picked up three more. England, who had hoped for a big first-innings score, were bowled out for 267 in just 68.3 overs.

Mohammad Rizwan’s Taunt

It was during this collapse that Mohammad Rizwan decided to throw in his playful jibe. “No more Bazball,” he was heard saying, and honestly, it felt like the perfect summary of England’s day.

The aggressive batting strategy they’ve become known for had hit a major roadblock, and Rizwan didn’t miss the chance to point it out.

You’ve got to love a bit of banter on the field. Rizwan’s quip wasn’t just about having fun; it was a reminder that cricket, especially Test cricket, is all about adapting to the conditions. And in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s spinners were calling the shots.

Pakistan’s Response

With the momentum on their side, Pakistan came in to bat. But, much like England, they didn’t have the easiest time at the crease either. The hosts lost Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and Kamran Ghulam early on, leaving them struggling at 50/3.

As of the latest update, Pakistan are 163/6 before lunch on Day 2. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster so far, and both teams are finding the conditions tricky.