Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Rizwan Faces Fan Backlash After Being Sent Home Mid-Series
Mohammad Rizwan is a cricketer who plays for Pakistan.
A video showed him smiling and waving while leaving the stadium in England.
Some Pakistan fans thought he should look more upset after the team’s poor results.
They criticized him on social media and called his reaction “shameless.”
Pakistan lost the first two Tests against England by large margins.
The Pakistan Cricket Board then changed the squad for the final Test.
Rizwan and six other players were sent home after the second match.
Pakistan will now play the last Test without him.
A smile in a video does not always show how someone truly feels.
Mohammad Rizwan was criticized online after a video showed him smiling and waving near Pakistan’s team bus in England.
Fans called his reaction “shameless” after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests.
Pakistan lost the opening Test by an innings and the second by 194 runs at Lord’s.
The Pakistan Cricket Board sent Rizwan and six other players home after the second Test.
Pakistan will play the third and final Test without Rizwan, one of its experienced wicket-keeper batters.
- Who
- Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistan Cricket Board, Pakistan’s Test team, and England’s cricket team.
- What
- Rizwan faced fan criticism after a smiling video went viral and was sent home with six other players during the England tour.
- When
- After Pakistan’s second Test against England and before the third and final Test.
- Where
- During Pakistan’s tour of England, including after the second Test at Lord’s.
- Why
- Pakistan lost the first two Tests heavily, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board to overhaul the squad; fans also questioned Rizwan’s relaxed appearance.
Fan criticism
Alternative interpretation
Rizwan’s expression
Fan criticism
Some Pakistan fans said Rizwan’s smile showed a lack of remorse or concern after the team’s poor performances.
Alternative interpretation
The article notes that a player’s expression away from the field does not necessarily reveal how the player feels about the team’s results.
Senior-player responsibility
Fan criticism
Critics questioned whether senior players should display more concern during a difficult series.
Alternative interpretation
The video alone does not establish Rizwan’s attitude or emotions, even though fans focused heavily on it.
- Series result
- England leads the three-match Test series 2-0.
- First Test
- Pakistan lost by an innings.
- Second Test
- Pakistan lost by 194 runs at Lord’s.
- Squad decision
- Rizwan and six other players were sent home after the second Test.
- Final Test
- Pakistan will play without Rizwan.
- Controversy
- Fans criticized a video showing Rizwan smiling and waving while leaving the stadium.