Key Takeaways
- The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned Pakistan cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan for questioning.
- The PCB had taken custody of the cricketers’ mobile phones before handing them over to the NCCIA for investigation.
- A third cricketer has also received a notice from the NCCIA as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned Pakistan cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan for questioning, according to a report from ProPakistani.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had taken custody of the cricketers’ mobile phones before handing them over to the relevant authorities.
The NCCIA later issued notices to Imam and Rizwan, summoning them for questioning as part of its investigation into the data retrieved from their phones.
A third cricketer has also reportedly received a notice from the agency, indicating the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
The reason behind the PCB taking custody of the cricketers’ mobile phones remains unclear, as the board has not yet issued an official explanation regarding the matter.
Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests of the ongoing series against England, leading to emergency measures by the PCB.
The seven players released by the PCB were Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad.
The head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also released from their respective roles with the team.
White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke were called up to take charge of the team.
Earlier this month, the PCB also sought a written explanation from a member of its Selection/Advisory Committee regarding the selection of Rizwan and Imam for Pakistan’s Test squad for the 2026 tours of the West Indies and England.
The committee member had participated in a selection meeting held on June 2, during which responsibility was assigned to consider and select players for Pakistan’s Test squad for the two series.
The notice stated that Rizwan and Imam were shortlisted for inclusion in the squad based on the committee member’s recommendation.
The PCB has now asked the selection committee member to explain the basis and rationale behind the selection of the two players, including the relevant selection criteria, performance considerations, and any other factors taken into account during the process.
