Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has indicated that the investigation involving Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq could conclude within days, with authorities seeking further clarification from Rizwan before submitting their findings.
Both Pakistan internationals have been permitted to participate in domestic cricket while the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) completes its inquiry into alleged leaks of confidential dressing-room information during Pakistan’s Test tour of England.
Speaking to reporters in Lahore on Thursday, November 12, Naqvi confirmed that he had been in contact with the investigating agency and that the process was approaching its final stages.
“I have spoken to the NCCIA and they just need more clarity from Rizwan after which they will submit their findings in a few days’ time although I can’t give an exact deadline,” Naqvi said, speaking to the media.
The development marks a significant shift from the uncertainty surrounding the players’ domestic cricket participation earlier in the investigation. However, the inquiry remains open, and the agency has not announced its final findings.
NCCIA expected to contact Mohammad Rizwan before finalising report
Naqvi provided further details about the remaining steps during a visit to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, revealing that investigators had briefed him on the case and were preparing to seek additional information from Rizwan.
“NCCIA briefed me a few days ago. I think they will contact Rizwan. They will do some clarities and finalise the report,” he added.
Although Naqvi expects the agency to approach Rizwan soon, he did not specify when that contact would take place or when the final report would be delivered.
The investigation followed allegations that sensitive information from Pakistan’s dressing room had been disclosed during the team’s 3-0 Test series defeat against England.
As reported previously by cricexec in September, the inquiry included forensic examinations of mobile phones belonging to Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. The PCB had transferred the devices to the relevant authorities, who were reviewing digital communications and other material potentially connected to the alleged leaks.
Investigators were also examining financial transactions and contacts associated with the players during the relevant period. Both cricketers had appeared before the NCCIA in Lahore, with the investigation still ongoing and no final determination announced at that stage.
Rizwan’s earlier requests for clarity over NCCIA investigation
The proceedings subsequently raised questions about the precise allegations being investigated and the information being sought from Rizwan.
As previously reported by cricexec in October, Rizwan had confirmed that he would attend another NCCIA hearing on October 2 after receiving a second notice. He had also written to the agency for a third time, seeking clarification about the legal basis and scope of the inquiry, including whether allegations concerning online betting or gambling remained part of the investigation.
The former Pakistan white-ball Captain had additionally challenged the handling of his mobile phone and sought its return. The Lahore High Court had directed him to cooperate with the investigation while requiring the agency to conduct its proceedings lawfully and without unnecessary harassment or inconvenience.
Naqvi’s latest remarks suggest that the remaining work centres on obtaining further clarification from Rizwan rather than preventing either player from returning to domestic competition.
Rizwan has already resumed first-class cricket, representing Peshawar Blues in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold 2026-27 after receiving clearance to participate in domestic competitions.
PCB central contracts for 2026-27 nearing announcement
Alongside the investigation update, Naqvi addressed the PCB’s delayed central contracts for the 2026-27 season, indicating that the process was almost complete.
“I think they are finalised or would be finalised by tomorrow,” Naqvi stated.
The announcement has been pending for approximately three months following the expiry of the previous contracts on July 31.
The delay has left the new contractual arrangements awaiting formal confirmation, making the expected announcement another important administrative development for the PCB.
Naqvi’s comments suggest that the board is close to completing the process, although the revised list and terms had not been publicly announced at the time of his remarks.
Mohsin Naqvi addresses Pakistan Super League franchise finances
The PCB Chairman also responded to questions about the financial position of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), particularly concerns surrounding the investment required to operate franchises.
Naqvi pointed to the amounts involved in recent franchise transactions, including the sale of new teams and Multan Sultans, as evidence that investors had made substantial financial commitments to the competition.
He argued that franchise ownership should be approached as a longer-term commercial investment rather than a business expected to generate immediate returns.
“Whatever the owners of these new franchise know, they can’t expect to make profits after a year or two and they must have done their feasibility report before joining the PSL,” Naqvi said.
Naqvi also indicated that franchise owners seeking to exit their investments could sell their teams for a profit, provided any transaction complied with the league’s rules and regulations.
His remarks place the responsibility for assessing financial viability on prospective owners, while reinforcing the PCB’s position that investors entering the PSL should have realistic expectations about the time required to generate returns.
PCB targets January 31 completion for National Cricket Academy upgrade
Naqvi’s visit to the National Cricket Academy also provided an update on the PCB’s investment in player development infrastructure.
The academy is undergoing an upgrade intended to expand its training facilities and improve the resources available to emerging cricketers. Director High Performance Aqib Javed has been closely involved in planning the project alongside the PCB’s design team.
“Mr Aqib has put a lot of effort into the master plan and in our designing team. We have a deadline of 31st January to complete it. It will be a state-of-the-art academy with all the features and machinery of the world,” Naqvi noted.
The January 31 deadline gives the PCB a defined target for completing the redevelopment, which Naqvi believes will strengthen the board’s ability to prepare players for higher levels of competition.
Javed is also planning development camps for young cricketers, with programmes designed to address technical weaknesses before players progress into representative squads.
Naqvi expressed confidence in the PCB’s cricket management team and indicated that the next group of emerging players could be ready within approximately six months.
The academy project forms part of the board’s wider effort to improve Pakistan cricket’s performance through investment in training infrastructure and talent development.
For the PCB, the immediate priorities now include receiving the NCCIA’s final findings, formally announcing the delayed central contracts and progressing the academy redevelopment. The investigation involving Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq remains unresolved until the agency completes its report.
