Marco Jansen and Mohammad Rizwan were involved in a heated exchange of words during the seventh over of Pakistan’s innings during their 2023 World Cup clash with South Africa in Chennai on Friday (October 27).

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Rizwan walked out to bat following Imam-ul-Haq’s wicket at 38-2 and could have been out first ball if Jansen plucked out a stunning diving catch on his follow-through. The slower ball was defended by Rizwan to the right of Jansen, who immediately dived to his right. The 6ft8in player almost got his hands to the ball but could not latch on as Rizwan survived.

Next delivery, Rizwan heaved the ball for a four over third man, following which the two players were involved in a war of words. Jansen seemingly uttered a few words to the Pakistan keeper, who responded as a few South Africa fielders, including Gerald Coetzee, came in.

On the last ball of the over, Rizwan played out a dot, following which Jansen again said a few words to Rizwan on his follow-through. Rizwan looked at the quick, smiled, put his hand on his heart and extended his hands seemingly for a hug, while walking towards his skipper Babar Azam following the end of the over.

Waqar Younis on commentary said Jansen was looking to unsettle Rizwan. “He’s trying to unsettle Rizwan. The body language from Jansen… Normally, he [Rizwan] is not the one to eyeball the opposition but he is being forced into a verbal spat.”

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Sanjay Manjrekar, on the other hand, said he liked the sight of fast bowlers turning on the heat. “Within limits, I really like that side of fast bowlers because sometimes you think Marco Jansen is a bit too quiet. Maybe it was the heat or the shot that Rizwan played against him, that’s not so bad, that kind of intensity.”

Rizwan scored 31 in 27 and was dismissed by Coetzee in the 16th over.

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Pakistan Marco JansenMohammad RizwanMatch CoverageSeries Editorial