ENG vs PAK, 1st Test: Rizwan Called Out for 'Bizarre Cricket' After Leaving Khurram to Face Robinson (WATCH)

In Pakistan's first Test loss against England, senior batter Mohammad Rizwan faced sharp criticism from Nasser Hussain for his 'bizarre' on-field decision-making. This innings defeat at Headingley also caused Pakistan to slip to the bottom of the World Test Championship points table.

Former Pakistan Test captain and senior batter Mohammad Rizwan has come under scrutiny for his bizarre decision-making on Day 3 in the first Test of the three-match series against England at Headingley in Leeds on Friday, August 21.

Pakistan lost the series opener by an innings and 103 runs after being bundled out for 135 in 37.3 overs. The visitors resumed their batting in the second innings after wrapping up England’s innings for 409 and were handed a massive first-innings deficit of 238 runs, putting them under intense pressure from the very start.

However, Pakistan batters, except Mohammad Rizwan (41 off 39 balls), failed to show any resistance, as Ollie Robinson (3/29), Jofra Archer (3/50), and Josh Tongue (3/43) tore through the batting lineup and bundled out the visitors for 135, sealing a dominant victory to take a 1-0 series lead with two matches to spare.

Nasser Hussain Calls Out Rizwan’s ‘Bizarre Cricket’

As Pakistan had yet another poor outing with the bat in the second innings, resulting in an innings defeat, former England captain Nasser Hussain didn't hold back in his criticism of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.

In the 32nd over of Pakistan’s second innings batting, Rizwan took a single off the first delivery, handing the strike over to tailender Khurram Shahzad and leaving him vulnerable to an in-form Ollie Robinson. On the next delivery, Shahzad edged Ollie Robinson behind the wicket, with Jordan Cox taking a straightforward catch at third slip.

Nasser Hussain, who is part of the Sky Sports commentary panel for the ongoing Test series between England and Pakistan, called Rizwan’s decision ‘bizarre cricket’, questioning why the 46-Test veteran left No. 9 Khurram Shahzad to face five deliveries from Ollie Robinson when he was the senior batter at the crease.

“Bizarre cricket. Bizarre cricket when you're batting with a number nine. Rizwan has played 46 test matches and is the senior batter out there, the only batter out there. To expose the tail to five balls of Robinson makes no sense,” the former England captain said.

NASSER HUSSAIN ON COMMENTARY 🗣:

"I don't understand. Rizwan has played 46 Test matches; he is the senior batter out there, the only batter out there, and exposing Khurram Shehzad to five balls from Ollie Robinson makes no sense." pic.twitter.com/iRtSRHbAlB

— Rayham. (@RayhamUnplugged) August 21, 2026

After Khurram Shahzad was dismissed for 9 at 111/8, Pakistan's resistance quickly folded as the final two wickets fell for just 24 runs, sealing a comprehensive victory for the hosts. Mohammed Rizwan was the visitors’ lone fighter in the middle, offering brief resistance with his aggressive knock before Pakistan were eventually bowled out, giving England a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Where Does Pakistan Stand at WTC Points Table After Headingley Defeat?

Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test of the three-match series against England at Headingley in Leeds has dealt a significant blow to their standing in the World Test Championship standings. Before the Headingley Test, Pakistan were eighth with 2 wins and 4 losses from six Tests, having a points percentage of 22.22% after an eight-point deduction.

Following the defeat, Pakistan slipped to the bottom of the points table with two wins and five losses, and have a PTC of 19.05% after seven matches. The opening Test, led by Salman Ali Agha in the absence of regular skipper Babar Azam, saw the visitors struggle to find their rhythm in English conditions.

England, meanwhile, holds seventh place in the WTC standings, improving their points percentage to 29.17% from 24.36% after the innings victory at Headingley, marking a crucial step forward as they look to climb higher up the table.

With two more matches left in the ongoing Test series, England and Pakistan will look to regroup as the action shifts to Lord's for the second Test starting August 27.