Imam, Rizwan barred from President’s Trophy over missed fitness tests

LAHORE: Pakistan cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan have been declared ineligible to play in the President’s Trophy Grade-I and President’s Cup after failing to undergo mandatory fitness tests within the stipulated deadline, sources said on Friday.

Both players were included in the squads of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), respectively, a day earlier.

Imam was named OGDCL captain, while Rizwan was appointed SNGPL vice-captain for the domestic competition.

Sources said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made fitness testing mandatory for players representing teams in the President’s Trophy Grade-I, with each player required to undergo at least 11 different fitness tests.

Imam and Rizwan did not complete the tests within the prescribed timeframe and the deadline has now expired, the sources said.

The respective departments can nominate replacements for the two players, with the PCB expected to approve the new names once their requests are received, according to sources.

The development comes as the PCB is also pursuing disciplinary proceedings involving national team players following the team’s troubled England tour.

NCCIA inquiry

Imam and Rizwan appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore on Thursday after being summoned in connection with an ongoing inquiry involving data retrieved from their mobile phones, according to media reports.

The inquiry has reportedly focused on alleged leaks of information from Pakistan’s dressing room during the England tour. Both players sought additional time to submit their responses in writing, sources said.

The PCB had taken custody of the players’ mobile phones before they were handed over to the relevant authorities for examination. A third Pakistan cricketer has also reportedly received a notice from the NCCIA.

The exact nature and scope of the inquiry have not been officially disclosed, and neither the PCB nor the NCCIA has announced any findings against the players.

Imam and Rizwan were among seven players sent home midway through Pakistan’s three-Test tour of England following defeats in the first two matches. The PCB also replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul during the tour.

The PCB subsequently initiated an internal inquiry into player discipline and conduct, while reports also emerged of questions surrounding Imam’s fitness after he did not bat during the second Test at Lord’s because of a calf injury.

The latest development means Imam and Rizwan will not be available for their respective departmental teams in the President’s Trophy Grade-I unless their status changes following the completion of the required fitness process or a decision by the PCB.