A dispute between Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) reached the Lahore High Court after the cricketer challenged the legitimacy of the agency’s summons and its authority to question him. Rizwan had approached the court through his lawyer after he appeared before the NCCIA in Lahore and asked questions about the investigation. But the Lahore High Court on Thursday dismissed his petition and directed him to respond to the agency’s notice.
The development comes as Pakistan cricket has been in more controversy since the team’s difficult England tour. Rizwan and fellow batsman Imam-ul-Haq were removed from the Test team after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats. Both cricketers were summoned by the NCCIA and appeared before the agency in Lahore earlier this month.
These players were questioned and were provided with questionnaires to fill out about their activities and other details. Different outlets have reported different ranges of the inquiry’s scope. Some of those reports linked the inquiry to alleged online betting and gambling and others to data collected from players’ mobile phones and an investigation into alleged dressing-room leaks.
Rizwan asked why he had been summoned and wanted clarification about the specific allegation against him. In a response submitted to the NCCIA, he was reported to have asked, “Why was I called by the NCCIA?” He also wanted to know why his mobile phone hadn’t been returned and what disciplinary violation he was alleged to have done.
Rizwan later filed a writ petition before the Lahore High Court challenging the agency’s proceedings. The petition challenged the NCCIA’s jurisdiction and said he had not yet been provided with a specific accusation that explained why he was being investigated. He also sought a halt to the agency’s proceedings.
But in Thursday’s hearing, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum dismissed Rizwan’s petition. The court directed the cricketer to respond to the NCCIA’s questions and show-cause notice, rather than stop the proceedings. Rizwan did not appear before the court, and his lawyer represented him during the hearing.
The legal matter is separate from an internal disciplinary inquiry by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The board had said it was reviewing reports about discipline and activity at the team's England tour.
Rizwan and Imam were among seven players sent home from England after Pakistan’s heavy defeat to England at Lord’s. Pakistan had already lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs and lost in the second match by 194 runs to England. The PCB made significant changes in the team, and several replacements were brought into the touring group.
Rizwan’s own batting performances on the England tour also came under scrutiny. He scored 12, 41, 7 and 1 in the two Tests he played. But his wicketkeeping was still an important aspect of his role with the Pakistan side.
Imam-ul-Haq was also part of the controversy following a grade-one calf injury during the Lord’s Test opening day. He did not bat or take the field after the injury and questions have been raised about his fitness.
The NCCIA matter has added another layer to the changes in Pakistan cricket. Rizwan has said the Lahore High Court has declined to cancel the proceedings, so the cricketer should respond to the agency’s questions as directed by the court.
The investigation itself remains a developing matter and the reports do not suggest that Rizwan has been found guilty of any offence. The court’s decision is on the continuation of the proceedings and his reaction to the notice of the agency. Further developments are likely to come from the NCCIA’s investigation and the players’ reports.
