Pakistan allows Muhammad Rizwan to play domestic cricket despite ongoing investigation

Pakistan wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan has been given the first reprieve in an ongoing investigation into allegations of online betting, gambling and locker room leaks, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowing him to continue playing domestic cricket.

Former Pakistan captain Muhammad Hafeez, who is now the director and head coach of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), has confirmed that he has received an email from the PCB home department allowing Rizwana to play in the ongoing Presidents Cup first-class tournament from October 19.

The fifth round of the tournament started on Monday and Rizwan is expected to lead the SNGPL team, Hafeez said. Rizwan and his Pakistan team-mate Imam-ul-Haq were banned from domestic cricket after being recalled from England after the second Test in August and asked to face a National Cyber ​​Crime Cell (NCCA) investigation into alleged locker room leaks and online betting and gambling issues.

Rizwan has twice appeared before the NCCA for questioning, but the exact nature of the complaints the government agency is investigating remains unclear. The phones of Rizwan and Imam were also seized by the security personnel accompanying the Pakistan team during the second Test at Lord’s and are currently with the NCCA for forensic examination.

While Imam has largely stayed out of the public eye, Rizwan has remained in the headlines for his response to a query. However, a reliable source said on Sunday that after the Pakistan player’s last session with the NCCA on October 10 in Lahore, the situation has largely cooled down.

The source added that the investigation could be closed soon. A veteran of 47 Tests, 103 ODIs and 106 T20 internationals, Rizwan has not played competitive cricket since the second Test at Lord’s.

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