Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has asked Mohammad Rizwan to decide his future after he was retired out in a recent Big Bash League (BBL 2025-26) match by his team, the Melbourne Renegades, against the Sydney Thunder.

Rizwan was batting on 26 runs in 23 balls when he was asked to retire out by Renegades skipper Will Sutherland. Rizwan’s strike rate in the BBL has been a point of criticism for the Pakistan keeper-batter. He has scored 167 runs in 8 games in BBL 2025-26 with a strike rate of 101.82 and has hit 18 fours and one six.

The retired-out incident triggered a massive debate in Pakistan, with many viewing the decision as 'humiliating' for a player of Rizwan's stature.

Kamran Akmal, a former Pakistan wicketkeeper, was asked about the event during a GTV Sports talk. The host even questioned whether Rizwan should return to Pakistan in protest. Akmal concurred with the host's concerns while also advising that Rizwan could improve his game to meet modern demands.

"You have talked extensively on your shows and YouTube about how Babar and Rizwan must improve their strike rates. What happened to Rizwan has not only caused mockery worldwide but has also created a sense of humiliation. Some are even saying Rizwan should leave the league and return home. During the first season of the IPL, Younis Khan was kept on the bench while playing alongside you for the Rajasthan Royals. He famously stated, 'I am the captain of Pakistan; I will not sit on the bench. You must send me back with respect. “We have seen players stand up for themselves like that,” the host remarked on the GTV sports show.  

Kamran Akmal was also enraged at the treatment meted out to Mohammad Rizwan, who called the keeper the top player for Pakistan.

"Absolutely. I also believe this should not happen; he is our top player and a proven performer. However, you have to realize how fast these leagues are. Every country is now following the modern-day approach to cricket, so it is vital to develop yourself accordingly. Rizwan has been playing with the same mindset since he started in T20s. In Australia, they view the game through a specific lens. We have seen similar tactical moves in the ILT20 and the IPL,” Akmal said.

Akmal also revealed how strict and ruthless franchise cricket can be. He recalled how the Mumbai Indians once retired out their star batter, Tilak Varma, in an IPL 2025 match.

"Even a key player like Tilak Varma was called back to the dugout. While these moves are based on the match situation, Rizwan needs to consider his future path," Akmal noted.

The former Pakistan wicket-keeper urged Rizwan to rework his style of play if he is to continue his T20 career.

"I have been saying for three or four years that the way he is playing will make the future very difficult. Modern-day cricket is moving at a rapid pace, and you must adapt. It should not have happened to our best player and the Pakistan captain, but he has, in a sense, given them a reason to make that call,” Akmal concluded.