- LHC CJ questions Rizwan’s need for court intervention.
- Rizwan and Imam faced NCCIA questioning in Lahore.
- NCCIA questioned Players over “dressing-room leaks”.
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday dismissed Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s petition challenging notices issued to him by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition, with Rizwan’s lawyer Qazi Umair Ali appearing before the court.
The lawyer argued that the allegations against Rizwan were false and baseless, telling the court that the cricketer was called to a hotel lobby after the Lord’s Test and questioned without being served a notice.
He said Rizwan’s mobile phone was taken into custody during the process after he was assured it would be returned within three hours.
Ali told the court that the phone had still not been returned, arguing that the delay reflected bad faith.
He further contended that the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit was the appropriate forum for dealing with corruption-related allegations against cricketers.
However, no matter concerning Rizwan had been referred to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit, Ali said.
During the hearing, Justice Neelum expressed displeasure with the lawyer for failing to bring the case file to court.
She observed that Rizwan had been called by the NCCIA on September 10 and had complied with the summons.
“You were called on September 10 and you complied with it. What brings you to court now?” Justice Neelum asked.
She directed Ali to go to the agency, explain his position there and submit a response to the notices.
“Go there, tell them and respond to the notice,” Justice Neelum said.
The court subsequently dismissed Rizwan’s petition.
What is the NCCIA investigating?
The NCCIA’s notice states that an inquiry into online betting and gambling is under way.
Rizwan had challenged the notice, questioning the agency’s jurisdiction and the basis of the inquiry. He maintained that it did not identify any specific allegation or explain what illegal activity he was allegedly involved in.
He had also said that he repeatedly asked investigators to clarify the allegations during his appearance but was not provided with answers.
Rizwan and Pakistan Test opener Imam-ul-Haq appeared before the NCCIA at its Johar Town office in Lahore earlier this month.
The players were questioned for around two hours in connection with an investigation into alleged information leaks from the Pakistan dressing room during the Test series against England, sources told Geo News.
Investigators also asked about their contacts and meetings during practice sessions and matches in England.
The agency has been conducting forensic and technical analysis of their mobile phones and examining financial dealings and suspected transactions involving the two players, according to the sources.
Messages, contacts and other digital information retrieved from the phones are also being reviewed as part of the inquiry.
The NCCIA has not officially announced any final finding against either player.
Rizwan subsequently submitted a written response to the agency, seeking clarification over the reasons for his summons and asking why his mobile phone had not been returned.
Probe follows changes to Test set-up
The NCCIA inquiry comes after major changes to Pakistan’s Test set-up following the team’s defeats against England.
Rizwan and Imam were among seven players released from the Test squad following Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed from their positions.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had separately sought written explanations from members of its selection committee over the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam in Pakistan’s Test squads for the 2026 tours of the West Indies and England.
According to a PCB notice issued on August 31, the selection committee had considered and recommended both players during a meeting on June 2.
The board sought details of the selection criteria, performance considerations and other factors taken into account before their inclusion.
