Mohammad Rizwan has failed in his attempt to challenge National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) notices in the Lahore High Court, with the court dismissing his petition and directing the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to take his objections back to the agency.
According to a report by Geo News, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition on Thursday, with Rizwan represented by lawyer Qazi Umair Ali. The legal challenge followed Rizwan’s appearance before the NCCIA earlier this month alongside Pakistan Test opener Imam-ul-Haq.
The case centred on Rizwan’s objections to the basis of the NCCIA inquiry and whether the agency had jurisdiction over the matter. His petition maintained that he had not been told what specific illegal activity he was alleged to have committed.
Court directs Rizwan back to NCCIA
Rizwan had already complied with an NCCIA summons issued for September 10 before subsequently challenging the proceedings in court.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Neelum questioned the timing of that challenge. “You were called on September 10 and you complied with it. What brings you to court now?” she said.
The court ultimately declined to intervene in the NCCIA process. Chief Justice Neelum told Rizwan’s side: “Go there, tell them and respond to the notice.”
The petition was subsequently dismissed, leaving Rizwan required to engage with the agency’s queries. It remains unclear whether he will pursue any further legal challenge.
Rizwan challenges allegations and NCCIA jurisdiction
Rizwan’s petition disputed both the substance of the matter and the legal foundation for the agency’s involvement. In his Lahore High Court petition, Rizwan described the “allegations are absolutely misconceived, concocted, illusionary and vague and nothing more than a vexatious and feeble attempt to malign the interest and reputation of the Petitioner.”
A separate part of his legal argument focused on the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. The petition maintained that the ICC ACU is specifically responsible for receiving and investigating corruption allegations, including those concerning betting and spot-fixing involving international cricketers.
Rizwan also argued that no relevant conduct involving him had been referred to the ICC ACU and that the NCCIA had not established an independent, specific offence to support its involvement. “No reference of the alleged conduct has been made to the ACU. In the absence of any independent, specific offence… the NCCIA’s assumption of jurisdiction is without lawful basis and amounts to an abuse of process,” the petition stated.
The petition further maintained that the NCCIA notice did not identify a particular offence or legal provision Rizwan was alleged to have contravened.
Petition raises phone confiscation allegations
Rizwan’s legal challenge also detailed an earlier incident following Pakistan’s Test defeat at Lord’s. His petition said he was called to the team hotel lobby at 1am, where an individual described as an officer purportedly representing a government agency was present.
The petition alleged that the encounter occurred without prior notice. “Despite no notice with respect to the foregoing, the Petitioner [Rizwan] was interrogated by the said officer and his mobile phone was confiscated from him without providing him with any reason or justification in respect thereof. He was also not informed of any order which, authorized the confiscation of his phone.”
Rizwan maintained that he handed over the device after receiving an assurance that it would be thoroughly examined and returned within three hours. His petition said that despite that assurance, the phone had still not been returned.
He subsequently submitted a written response to the NCCIA by courier seeking clarification over the reason for his summons and the continued retention of his phone.
NCCIA inquiry also involves Imam-ul-Haq
Rizwan and Imam appeared at the NCCIA’s Johar Town office in Lahore earlier this month and were questioned for around two hours. The inquiry concerns alleged information leaks from Pakistan’s dressing room during the Test series against England, while investigators also questioned the players about contacts and meetings during practice sessions and matches.
The agency has also been examining the players’ mobile phones through forensic and technical analysis, alongside financial dealings and suspected transactions. Messages, contacts and other digital information obtained from the devices have been under review.
Both players were given questionnaires seeking information that included their travel and financial histories as well as personal and career details. Imam submitted his responses, while Rizwan challenged the basis and jurisdiction of the proceedings.
No final finding against either Rizwan or Imam has been officially announced by the NCCIA.
PCB decision could depend on forensic findings
The NCCIA proceedings have unfolded during a turbulent period for Pakistan’s Test set-up following the team’s 3-0 series defeat in England. Rizwan and Imam were among seven players released from the squad following the 194-run defeat at Lord’s, while Head Coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and Bowling Coach Umar Gul were also removed.
The PCB separately sought written explanations from its selection committee over the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam for Pakistan’s 2026 tours of the West Indies and England. The board asked selectors to explain the criteria, performance considerations and process behind their selection.
The PCB has also been conducting its own internal disciplinary process, but no direct connection between that process and the NCCIA investigation has been officially established.
The outcome of the NCCIA’s forensic work could nevertheless influence what happens next for the two players. A source aware of the developments told PTI: “How the PCB decides to move against the two players will now depend on what findings the NCCIA submits to the PCB. If nothing out of the ordinary is found in the forensics examination they will probably get reprieves.”
With Rizwan’s petition now dismissed, the NCCIA investigation remains ongoing and the agency has yet to announce any final findings against either player.
