ISLAMABAD – Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has twice sought permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to speak publicly about the ongoing Rizwan NCCIA inquiry, but the board refused both requests, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Rizwan wanted to clarify his position on the investigation, including the seizure of his mobile phone following Pakistan’s Test against England at Lord’s.
He also wanted to explain the allegations being examined by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and provide details of correspondence he had sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Rizwan Sought PCB Approval
According to the sources, Rizwan approached the PCB under the provisions of his central contract.
The contract requires players to obtain permission before making public statements on matters covered by the agreement.
Sources said Rizwan referred to Clause 4.1, which governs public statements, while seeking to rely on Clause 16, which provides for mutual cooperation between the PCB and the player.
The sources added that Rizwan did not intend to accuse the PCB or any other organization.
Instead, he wanted to publicly explain his position and give his account of the events surrounding the investigation.
Rizwan’s Phone Seized After Lord’s Test
The Rizwan NCCIA inquiry follows the seizure of the cricketer’s mobile phone after the Lord’s Test against England.
Rizwan’s lawyer, Qazi Umair Ali, raised the issue during proceedings at the Lahore High Court last week.
According to the lawyer, Rizwan was called to a hotel lobby after the Test and questioned without being served a notice at the time.
His counsel told the court that Rizwan handed over his phone after being assured that it would be returned within three hours.
The device has not yet been returned, according to the account presented in court.
Rizwan Questions NCCIA Proceedings
Rizwan subsequently submitted a written response to the NCCIA seeking clarification about the reasons for the inquiry.
According to reports, he questioned why he had been summoned and why his mobile phone remained in the agency’s possession.
He also questioned the basis of the alleged disciplinary violation and sought an explanation of the proceedings against him.
Rizwan’s lawyer has also argued that corruption-related allegations involving international cricketers should fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.
The legal position remains contested, with the NCCIA continuing its inquiry.
LHC Rejects Rizwan’s Petition
The Lahore High Court on September 17 dismissed Rizwan’s petition challenging the NCCIA notices.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum directed Rizwan to respond to the agency’s notice and appear before it rather than seeking court intervention at that stage.
Rizwan’s counsel had challenged the notices and questioned the agency’s jurisdiction.
The lawyer also told the court about the circumstances surrounding the seizure of Rizwan’s phone after the Lord’s Test.
The dismissal did not establish any wrongdoing by Rizwan. The NCCIA inquiry remains ongoing.
Imam-ul-Haq Also Questioned
Rizwan is not the only Pakistan cricketer linked to the investigation.
Imam-ul-Haq also appeared before the NCCIA in Lahore on September 10 after receiving a notice from the agency.
The players were questioned in connection with an inquiry into alleged dressing-room information leaks during Pakistan’s Test series against England. Reports have also linked the investigation to online betting and gambling-related allegations.
The NCCIA has been examining data from the players’ mobile phones as part of its inquiry.
Sources cited by Geo News previously said an initial examination of the phones had not revealed anything significant, although the forensic process was continuing.
PCB Awaiting NCCIA Findings
The PCB is expected to consider the NCCIA’s findings before deciding whether any disciplinary action is required against Rizwan or Imam-ul-Haq.
The board has not publicly announced a final finding of wrongdoing against either player.
Rizwan and Imam were among seven players released from Pakistan’s Test squad after the Lord’s match. The PCB officially announced on August 31 that seven players had been released following completion of the Test, including Rizwan and Imam.
Pakistan subsequently completed its three-match Test series against England with an 0-3 defeat.
Rizwan Remains Under Inquiry
For now, the Rizwan NCCIA inquiry remains unresolved.
The cricketer has sought to explain his position publicly, but sources say the PCB has denied his requests to make a public statement.
Meanwhile, the NCCIA’s investigation and forensic examination remain underway. Any disciplinary decision by the PCB is expected to depend on the findings submitted by the agency.
No final finding of wrongdoing against Rizwan has been publicly announced.
Key Points :
- Mohammad Rizwan reportedly sought PCB permission twice to speak publicly about the NCCIA inquiry.
- The PCB denied both requests, according to sources.
- Rizwan wanted to address the seizure of his mobile phone after the Lord’s Test.
- His lawyer raised the phone seizure during Lahore High Court proceedings.
- The LHC dismissed Rizwan’s petition challenging NCCIA notices.
- Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq appeared before the NCCIA in Lahore.
- The agency is investigating alleged dressing-room information leaks.
- The NCCIA is also examining data from the players’ phones.
- The PCB is expected to consider the agency’s findings before deciding any disciplinary action.
- No final finding of wrongdoing against Rizwan has been publicly announced.
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