Mobile Phone Investigation Raises Questions Over Career

Pakistan batter Mohammad Rizwan says he is fully cooperating with the NCCIA investigation after his phone was reportedly seized following the England tour. The ongoing probe has also kept Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq out of domestic red-ball cricket.

Mobile Phone Investigation Raises Questions Over Career

Mohammad Rizwan Says He Is Fully Cooperating with Authorities and Looks Forward to the Investigation Being Completed Soon

New Delhi: Amid questions over his poor performance and disciplinary conduct during Pakistan’s tour of England, senior batter Mohammad Rizwan has responded to the investigation being conducted by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). He said that he is fully cooperating with the authorities and is looking forward to the investigation being completed soon.

Mohammad Rizwan and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq were sent back home midway through Pakistan’s recent tour of England after disappointing performances in the first two Test matches. Soon afterwards, both players came under the scrutiny of the NCCIA, an investigative agency that reportedly operates directly under the jurisdiction of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

According to Pakistani media reports, PCB security officials confiscated Rizwan’s mobile phone after his return from the England tour and transferred its data to the cybercrime agency for investigation.

Speaking about his position, Rizwan said, “I am fully cooperating with the investigation and I am looking forward to its completion.”

However, the PCB has only stated officially that it is conducting a disciplinary investigation into the conduct of some players during the tour. The NCCIA has not yet clarified the specific allegations under which Rizwan is being investigated.

Reports suggest that the agency may closely examine the players’ WhatsApp chats, call records, messages and financial transactions made through their bank accounts.

According to reports, the investigative agency provided the players with a list of questions, and at least one of Rizwan or Imam-ul-Haq has requested additional time to respond.

Due to the ongoing investigation, both cricketers are currently unable to join their respective domestic red-ball teams. It also remains unclear when the investigation will be completed.