The Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Pakistani cricketer Mohammed Rizwan, which sought to challenge a summons issued by the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Following a hearing on September 17, the court directed the wicketkeeper-batter to cooperate with the agency and respond to its inquiries.
Rizwan had filed the petition on September 16, contesting the NCCIA’s investigation into alleged online betting and gambling activities within Pakistan cricket. In his legal filing, he argued that the agency had failed to provide specific reasons for the summons and lacked the necessary jurisdiction to probe the matter. He further contended that the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ICC ACU) is the sole authority mandated to handle corruption allegations involving international players.
“The ICC ACU is the body specifically constituted and mandated to receive, investigate and act upon allegations of corruption, including betting and spot-fixing, against players participating in international cricket, including the Petitioner,” the petition stated. It further argued that the NCCIA’s actions were “without lawful basis and amounts to an abuse of process,” describing the allegations against him as “absolutely misconceived, concocted, illusionary and vague.”
The petition also detailed an incident following Pakistan’s defeat to England at Lord’s, where Rizwan claimed his mobile phone was confiscated by a government official during a 1:00 am interrogation at his hotel. He alleged that the device was taken under the assurance that it would be returned within three hours, but it remains in the agency's possession.
It is currently unclear whether Rizwan intends to appeal the court’s decision or comply with the NCCIA’s request for information. While Rizwan sought legal intervention, other players have opted for different approaches; opener Imam-ul-Haq, for instance, recently completed a questionnaire provided by the NCCIA.
The legal developments coincide with broader scrutiny of the national squad following a 0-3 series loss in England. The Pakistan Cricket Board has since initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry and implemented significant changes to the team’s composition, which included the removal of several players and coaches.