Mohammad Rizwan seeks clarity from the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly launched an internal probe into their experienced wicketkeeper-batter, accusing him of involvement with illegal betting and gambling websites.
Rizwan first went to the Lahore High Court to question the procedure of the probe. He went to the court after being summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). It was reported that the NCCIA conducted a question-and-answer session for around two hours.
Mohammad Rizwan seeks ICC’s support amid NCCIA investigations
After facing the investigating officers of the NCCIA, Mohammad Rizwan, as his next step, sought support from the Lahore High Court. The Lahore High Court, however, rejected a writ petition challenging the jurisdiction of the Agency in the matter.
As the court refused to support Rizwan, the cricketer, who has represented the Pakistan national cricket team in around 250 international matches across the three formats, has approached the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit. He has been playing for Pakistan for more than a decade; this is the first time there are allegations of illegal activities against him.
Why is Mohammad Rizwan in trouble?
Rizwan and the six other cricketers came under the scanner of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during Pakistan’s cricket team’s tour of England for a three-Test series. Pakistan lost the series by 3-0. After two heavy defeats in the first two matches of the series, which were in Leeds and London, before moving to Birmingham, the cricket board snubbed seven cricketers, including the keeper-batter from the Test team.
Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were the seven cricketers who were forced to exit the Test team after the second Test match of the series.
As their replacements, PCB named Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran (Imran Randhawa) and Razaullah. Test team head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant coach Umar Gul were also dismissed from their respective positions.
PCB confirms internal disciplinary inquiry against some of its players
Initially, it was believed that because of back-to-back massive defeats and the declining form of the players, the cricket board took the tough route to restore the team. Later, it was claimed that the PCB initiated an investigation against some of its players following media reports concerning discipline and conduct. Alongside Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq was another cricketer who was summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
“The PCB has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally. The PCB handles such matters in accordance with its standard procedures. The process is being conducted under PCB regulations, ensuring that all concerned individuals are given due consideration,” PCB’s media director Amir Mir said through an ‘X’ post.
Pakistan’s local media outlet, Geo TV, reported that Rizwan sought to be informed about the charges or suspicions against him but did not receive a clear answer.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
