Rizwan faces backlash over handshake ‘snub’

SYDNEY: Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Rizwan has faced backlash from fans after appearing to deny handshakes during a presentation at the SCG for the Jane McGrath Foundation.

Players lined up to shake hands with the women dressed in pink, but footage shows Rizwan opting against the handshake and continuing walking.

Cricket fans and pundits were quick to notice the incident and took to social media to criticise the wicketkeeper.

“All Pakistan players shook hands with female members in Glenn McGrath’s family but Mohammad Rizwan didn’t,” posted cricket journalist Farid Khan.

“Wow disrespecting women.. what a shame,” posted popular cricket page Drinks Break.

“That’s discrimination against woman,” commented a third.

Others didn’t see a problem with his actions.

“Didn’t have to, as long as he showed appreciation for the charity cause,” one fan commented.

“Mohammad Rizwan is great man,” replied another.

Rizwan (28) and Aamir Jamal (18) put up some resistance on Saturday morning, putting on 42 for the eighth wicket. But when Nathan Lyon (3-36) had Rizwan caught at leg slip, they folded quickly.

The win cements Australia’s newly crowned status as the world’s No.1-ranked Test team, with two matches against West Indies to come later in January.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood gifted retiring David Warner Babar Azam’s signed jersey after the match.