Pakistan cricket crisis deepens as Mohammad Rizwan appeals Lahore High Court against cybercrime agency summons
Mohammad Rizwan (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Pakistani attacker Mohammad Rizwan has approached the Lahore High Court against the summons issued to him by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Rizwan appeared before the agency last week but has now questioned the basis of the investigation and its authority to summon him.Rizwan filed a plea on Monday raising concerns about what was meant by the absence of any specific charges against him. He also questioned the NCCIA’s jurisdiction over the matter.The development comes after Rizwan and fellow batsman Imam-ul-Haq were called in for questioning following Pakistan’s 3-0 Test series loss in England. Both the players appeared at the NCCIA office in Lahore last Thursday and were later given detailed questionnaires to fill.
What did the NCCIA ask?
The questionnaires are believed to have sought information about the players’ travel and financial history, along with details of their personal and professional lives. While the imam is believed to have submitted his answers through an intermediary before the September 15 deadline, Rizwan questioned aspects of the investigation.It is unclear whether the NCCIA investigation is linked to a separate internal investigation being conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The PCB announced that it had “launched an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports relating to discipline and conduct which are currently being reviewed internally”. The board said the process was “conducted as per PCB regulations”.Rizwan and Imam were among seven players sent home after Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat against England in the second Test at Lord’s. Pakistan have already lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs.
Big changes in Pakistan team
The PCB made several changes after the defeats, sending seven substitutes to England, including five uncapped players. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed.Pakistan lost the third Test at Edgbaston by eight wickets. Razaullah, one of the substitutes, impressed on debut with four wickets and 81 innings.Rizwan scored 12, 41, 7 and 1 in the two Tests he played in England. He also struggled with the bat during Pakistan’s two-Test series in the West Indies.Imam, meanwhile, suffered a tear in his left calf after the opening day at Lord’s and was ruled out of the match. His injury was publicly questioned by chief selector and high-powered director Aaqib Javed.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the review will look beyond performance.“We had a discussion to find out the reasons behind it. They include factors other than performance and we will get to the bottom of it,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.The selection of Rizwan and Imam also came under scrutiny, with the PCB seeking an explanation from a member of the selection committee regarding their selection. The selector Misbah-ul-Haq later resigned following changes in the team.