Mohammad Rizwan challenges NCCIA summons, questions agency’s jurisdiction in LHC

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has challenged the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) summons before the Lahore High Court, questioning the basis of the investigation and the agency’s jurisdiction to call him for questioning.

Rizwan filed the writ petition through his counsel, Advocate Qazi Umair Ali, after appearing before the NCCIA at its Lahore office last week. Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Aalia Neelum is scheduled to hear the petition today.

Questions over NCCIA investigation

Rizwan was summoned alongside opening batter Imam-ul-Haq following Pakistan’s disappointing tour of England, where the team suffered a 3-0 Test series defeat.

The two cricketers appeared before the NCCIA last Thursday and were questioned by officials before being handed multi-page questionnaires. They were asked to provide information covering areas including their travel and financial history, as well as personal and professional details.

While Imam is understood to have submitted his responses by the Sept. 15 deadline, Rizwan questioned the nature of the inquiry and the legal authority under which the NCCIA had summoned him.

In his petition, Rizwan has argued that no specific allegation has been made against him and has challenged the agency’s jurisdiction to investigate him. He has asked the high court to declare the NCCIA proceedings unlawful and set them aside.

Inquiry follows England tour shake-up

The NCCIA action came after major changes to Pakistan’s squad during the England tour. Following the team’s defeat in the second Test at Lord’s, seven players, along with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, were removed from the squad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subsequently announced an internal disciplinary inquiry into reports concerning players’ conduct and discipline, although it did not identify any individuals.

The relationship between the NCCIA investigation and the PCB inquiry remains unclear.

Rizwan and Imam were among the seven players sent home following the Lord’s Test. Pakistan went on to lose the third Test at Edgbaston by eight wickets, completing a 3-0 series defeat.

Rizwan seeks suspension of proceedings

Rizwan has also requested the Lahore High Court to halt the NCCIA’s proceedings against him until a final decision is reached on his petition.

His legal challenge comes amid scrutiny of his performances during the England tour. Rizwan scored 12, 41, 7 and 1 in the four innings he played during the series, although his wicketkeeping was praised.

Imam, meanwhile, missed the remainder of the Lord’s Test after suffering a grade-one tear in his left calf. His injury subsequently became part of the wider questions raised over the circumstances surrounding the squad changes.

The PCB had also sought explanations from selectors over the selection of Rizwan and Imam for the West Indies and England tours. One of the selectors, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, resigned following the changes to the squad.