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 had been 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 after he was assured it would be returned within three hours. However, the phone had still not been returned, which the lawyer argued demonstrated bad faith on the part of the authorities.
Ali further argued that the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit was the appropriate forum for investigating corruption-related allegations involving cricketers.
However, he said no matter concerning Rizwan had been referred to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
LHC questions need for court intervention
During the hearing, Justice Neelum expressed displeasure with Rizwan’s lawyer for failing to bring the relevant case file to court.
The chief justice observed that Rizwan had been summoned by the NCCIA on September 10 and had complied with the notice.
“You were called on September 10 and you complied with it. What brings you to court now?” Justice Neelum asked.
She directed the lawyer to approach the agency, explain Rizwan’s position and submit a response to the notices.
“Go there, tell them and respond to the notice,” the judge said.
The court subsequently dismissed Rizwan’s petition.
What is the NCCIA investigating?
The NCCIA 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 the notice did not identify any specific allegation or explain what illegal activity he was suspected of committing.
He also said 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.
Sources told Geo News that the two 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.
Mohammad Rizwan challenges NCCIA summons, questions online betting probe
Investigators also questioned them about their contacts and meetings during practice sessions and matches in England.
According to the sources, the agency has been conducting forensic and technical analysis of their mobile phones while examining financial dealings and suspected transactions involving the two players.
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 findings against either player.
Rizwan later submitted a written response to the agency, seeking clarification about 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) 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 the players were included in the squads.
