The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will decide whether to take disciplinary action against senior cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq after the Lahore High Court dismissed Rizwan’s petition against notices issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The case was heard on Thursday, with Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum dismissing Rizwan’s petition after hearing arguments from both sides.
Rizwan’s lawyer, Qazi Umair Ali, told the court that the wicketkeeper-batter had received notices from the NCCIA.
“You should go and respond to the notice. On which date was the notice issued to you?” Chief Justice Neelum asked during the hearing.
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What did Rizwan’s lawyer tell the court?
Rizwan’s lawyer claimed that the cricketer was called to a hotel lobby after the Lord’s Test, where he was questioned and his mobile phone was taken.
According to the lawyer, Rizwan handed over his phone after being assured that it would be returned within three hours. However, he claimed that the phone had still not been returned.
The lawyer argued that this raised questions about the agency’s intentions and the way the investigation was being handled.
He also maintained that the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit was the appropriate body to deal with matters related to corruption in cricket. According to his argument, the case against Rizwan had not been referred to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.
What is the NCCIA investigating?
Rizwan’s petition questioned the NCCIA’s authority to issue the summons and raised concerns about the nature of its investigation.
A source familiar with the developments said the NCCIA is conducting a forensic examination of the mobile phones taken from Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq.
The source added that the agency is expected to submit its findings to the PCB by next week.
Will PCB take disciplinary action against Rizwan and Imam?
The PCB’s decision will depend on the findings submitted by the NCCIA, according to the source.
“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 forensic examination, they will probably get reprieves,” the source said.
For now, the PCB’s next step will depend on the outcome of the forensic examination and the report it receives from the agency.