Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has publicly criticised Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, accusing him of failing to participate in the traditional post-match handshake following both Test matches between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Das described the alleged behaviour as unprofessional and said it reflected a lack of respect toward the entire Bangladesh team.
The controversy follows a tense Test series that included a heated exchange between the two players during the second Test in Sylhet. The on-field disagreement occurred when Rizwan raised concerns about movement near the sightscreen, leading to a brief argument with Litton before the umpires intervened to calm the situation.
Speaking at a media event in Bangladesh, Litton revealed that what happened after the matches bothered him more than the on-field exchange. According to him, players are expected to put rivalries aside once a match ends and acknowledge each other through the customary handshake.
Das stated that regardless of personal disagreements, mutual respect should remain a key part of the game. He suggested that if Rizwan had an issue with him personally, it should not affect interactions with the rest of the Bangladesh squad.
The Bangladesh batter further claimed that Rizwan’s decision not to take part in the post-match greetings was disappointing and sent the wrong message to players and fans. He emphasized that cricket has always been known for sportsmanship and respect between opponents, regardless of the result.
Despite his criticism, Litton acknowledged Rizwan’s importance to Pakistan’s batting lineup. He described Rizwan as one of Pakistan’s most influential players and admitted that Bangladesh viewed him as a major threat during the series alongside Babar Azam.
Das also revealed that Bangladesh had specific plans to counter Rizwan’s impact because of his strong record against their team. However, he maintained that professional conduct and respect should always come first, regardless of competition or emotions during a match.
The comments have sparked discussion among cricket fans, with many debating the importance of sportsmanship and player conduct in international cricket.
