Rizwan Hit Stumps But Wasn’t Out – Here’s Why

Cricket fans watching the third day of the Rawalpindi Test were left scratching their heads when Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, after playing a shot, accidentally knocked the stumps with his bat—yet wasn’t given out. The Australian fielders immediately appealed for a hit wicket, but the on-field umpires calmly waved it away. So, what really happened? Let’s break down the Rizwan hit wicket moment that wasn’t.

What Happened on the Final Ball?

On the last delivery of Day 3, with Pakistan holding a narrow 23-run lead, Rizwan played a defensive shot. As he completed his stroke, his bat swung back and clipped the off-stump, dislodging a bail. The Aussies were quick to shout for a wicket, but the umpires conferred—and correctly ruled him not out.

Why Wasn’t Rizwan Given Out Hit Wicket?

The answer lies in the fine print of the Laws of Cricket, specifically Law 35: Hit Wicket. According to this rule, a batter is only out hit wicket if they dislodge the bails while preparing to receive or playing a delivery, or in setting off for their first run immediately after playing the ball.

Crucially, the law states the disturbance must occur “in the act of receiving a ball” or “in setting off for the first run”. In Rizwan’s case, the contact with the stumps happened after the shot was completed and he was in his follow-through—well outside the window defined by the law.

Key Conditions for a Hit Wicket Dismissal

• The batter must be in the act of playing the ball or starting their run.
• The wicket must be broken by the batter’s bat, person, or clothing/equipment.
• The disturbance must occur before the batter has finished their stroke or begun a second run.

Since Rizwan had already completed his shot and was in a static position, the dismissal didn’t apply. It’s a subtle but critical distinction that umpires are trained to spot instantly.

Historical Context: Other Famous Hit Wicket Moments

Hit wicket dismissals are rare but dramatic. One of the most memorable was when England’s Graham Gooch was given out hit wicket in 1990 after his bat slipped during a pull shot. More recently, in 2023, Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka was dismissed the same way against Afghanistan. These cases all shared one thing: the wicket was disturbed during the stroke, not after.

Why This Matters for Fans and Players

Moments like Rizwan’s highlight how deeply nuanced cricket’s laws are. What looks like an obvious wicket to a casual viewer is often a complex judgment call governed by precise legal wording. Understanding these rules not only enhances viewing experience but also fosters respect for the game’s integrity and the officials who enforce it.

For Pakistan, the reprieve was a small but valuable one—ending the day with both openers intact and a 23-run lead in a tightly contested Test match.

Sources

Times of India: Why Mohammad Rizwan was not out despite hitting the stumps on the last ball – Explained

MCC Laws of Cricket – Law 35: Hit Wicket: https://www.lords.org/mcc/the-laws-of-cricket/hit-wicket