WATCH: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan take combined review as Babar Azam could not take field against New Zealand

Pakistan cricket fans were left confused on Day 3 of the Karachi Test between Pakistan and New Zealand as both Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan appeared to be playing the role of stand-in skipper. When Day 3 of the match began on Wednesday, December 28, their skipper Babar Azam did not take the field. According to reports, Agha Salman, Shan Masood, and Babar were all sick due to flu.

In the Test, Sarfaraz was picked ahead of Rizwan, but he later entered the game as a replacement and was observed rearranging the field, indicating that he was acting as interim captain. Sarfaraz, however, was in charge of making the decision on the DRS call.

A DRS review was even requested by both of them, and it was successful since Devon Conway had to return to the pavilion at 92. Conway missed his flick across the line in the 53rd over of New Zealand’s first innings, and Pakistan left-arm spinner Nauman Ali caught him on the back foot. Aleem Dar, the on-field umpire, kept his finger down, which prompted a discussion about taking the DRS between Sarfaraz and Rizwan.

Watch it here:

Rizwan dropped for New Zealand Test series

Finally, Sarfaraz gave the signal and requested a review. Rizwan also appeared to raise his hand briefly in the video, though it is difficult to tell from the image, before maybe understanding that he was not qualified to decide whether the team could proceed with the DRS review.

An actual skipper on the cricket pitch cannot be a substitute fielder, according to Apex Cricket Council regulations.

The review proved to be wise, which was beneficial for Pakistan, as ball-tracking revealed three reds and the hosts had their first wicket. Conway fell short of a century but played a key role in Tom Latham’s outstanding opening 183-run stand, which resulted in a century.

Sarfaraz was selected in the playing XI for Pakistan’s match against Black Caps in Karachi rather than Rizwan. The former celebrated his return with a brilliant 86 in the first innings of his first Test match since January 2019. Rizwan’s Test series against England was forgettable as he only managed 141 runs in six innings at an average of 23.50.