Imam, Rizwan appear before NCCIA as PCB disciplinary probe widens

LAHORE: Pakistan cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore on Thursday as an internal Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inquiry into players’ discipline and conduct widened beyond the cricket board, according to sources.

The two players were summoned by the cybercrime agency in connection with the inquiry, the sources said. Both sought additional time to submit their written responses to the allegations and issues being examined.

The appearance marks the latest development in a disciplinary investigation that began after Pakistan’s troubled Test tour of England, where the PCB made sweeping changes to the squad and coaching staff following heavy defeats at Headingley and Lord’s.

The NCCIA has not publicly disclosed the nature of the allegations against the two players or the scope of its inquiry.

According to sources, the PCB has handed over the mobile phones of Imam and Rizwan to the NCCIA. The agency is expected to have the devices unlocked and examine their data as part of its investigation.

The players are also expected to submit written responses to the agency, while their statements may be formally recorded during the inquiry, sources said.

The forensic examination of the mobile data could form part of the evidence being reviewed by investigators, although there has been no official suggestion that either player has been accused of match-fixing or any other criminal offence.

PCB confirms internal disciplinary inquiry

The development follows the PCB’s confirmation earlier last week that it had launched an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning the conduct and discipline of members of the Pakistan team.

Earlier, PCB Director Media Amir Mir said that the board was reviewing matters internally under its regulations and that all concerned individuals would be given due consideration.

The PCB did not identify the players under investigation or disclose the specific allegations.

The board also warned against treating speculative or unverified reports as credible and said it would not comment further while the process was under way.

The inquiry came amid reports that the PCB had obtained mobile-phone data from Imam and Rizwan concerning their activities and contacts during the team’s stay in England.

The Guardian reported that the PCB investigation involved the confiscation and retrieval of data from the phones of two players following Pakistan’s heavy defeat at Lord’s, although the board did not publicly identify the players or confirm the specific allegations.

Fallout from Lord’s defeat

The disciplinary inquiry followed an extraordinary shake-up of Pakistan’s Test squad after England won the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The PCB subsequently released seven players from the Test squad, including Rizwan, Imam and former stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, along with Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.

Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also released and replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke respectively.

Pakistan had also suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test at Headingley. The dramatic changes came midway through the tour, with seven replacements brought into the squad ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

The move prompted criticism from former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie, who questioned the manner and timing of the overhaul.

Imam’s injury under scrutiny

Imam’s situation has attracted particular attention because he was unable to bat in either innings at Lord’s after sustaining a calf injury while fielding on the opening day.

The PCB officially said on August 28 that scans had confirmed a low-grade left calf strain and that Imam was receiving treatment from the team’s medical staff.

However, reports subsequently emerged that the board was examining the circumstances surrounding the injury.

Former chief selector Mohammad Wasim publicly accused Imam of faking the injury, while other reports said PCB officials were considering disciplinary action. Those allegations have not been established as fact.

PCB high-performance director Aaqib Javed had also questioned the severity of Imam’s injury, adding to speculation about why the opener did not bat during the Lord’s Test.

The Guardian reported that the disciplinary inquiry was launched amid questions about Imam’s failure to bat and wider concerns about player conduct during the tour.

Rizwan also under scrutiny

Rizwan was another prominent player released from the Test squad after the Lord’s defeat.

He scored 61 runs in four innings during the first two Tests, including scores of 12 and 41 at Headingley and seven and one at Lord’s.

Reports have also alleged tensions within the team environment and questioned the conduct of some players after the Lord’s defeat.

However, the PCB has not publicly confirmed reports of any confrontation involving Rizwan or formally specified the allegations being examined against him.

The NCCIA proceedings therefore represent a significant escalation in the inquiry, but no conclusion of wrongdoing has been announced against either player.

Despite the ongoing disciplinary process, neither player has been formally suspended by the PCB.

Both were included in the squads announced on Thursday for the President’s Trophy Grade-I, Pakistan’s first-class domestic tournament for the 2026-27 season.

Imam has been named captain of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), while Rizwan has been named vice-captain of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

The tournament begins on Sept 12 and features eight teams, with the final scheduled for Oct 28.

Their inclusion indicates that, at least for now, the disciplinary process has not resulted in a formal playing ban or suspension.

No finding of wrongdoing yet

The investigation comes at a turbulent time for Pakistan cricket, with the board attempting to impose greater discipline following a disastrous England tour.

Pakistan’s first two Tests ended in heavy defeats, and the PCB responded with a major mid-series restructuring. England went on to dominate the third Test at Edgbaston as well, with Pakistan collapsing for 133 on the opening day.

The NCCIA’s involvement adds a new dimension to the disciplinary process because investigators can examine digital evidence and communications, but the precise purpose and scope of the agency’s inquiry remain unclear.

For now, Imam and Rizwan have been given an opportunity to respond and have sought additional time to submit their written replies.

The PCB has not announced any disciplinary penalty against either player, while the NCCIA has yet to make public any findings arising from its proceedings