Mohammad Rizwan’s Online Betting Case: Lahore HC Dismisses Petition as PCB Awaits Forensic Report

The Pakistan men’s cricket team has been having a challenging time both on and off the field. The team suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat in the three-match test series against England and their performance was not up to the mark in either batting, bowling or fielding.

Off the field, the series was also marred by widespread allegations of dressing room information leaks, serious disciplinary violations and suspicious financial activities. In fact, one of their star players, the wicket-keeper batter, Mohammad Rizwan and opener Imam-ul-Haq, found themselves caught in a sticky situation.

At the conclusion of the second test at the Lord’s, both the players were not only sent back home from England but were also called in by Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for investigation in connection to the alleged dressing room information leak case.

Rizwan has alleged that his phone was confiscated and not returned during the interrogation. And, it seems his worries have now only deepened as he receives yet another set back, this time for the Lahore High Court. The 34-year-old had earlier submitted a writ petition to the Lahore High Court through his lawyers, challenging the NCCIA’s summons.

In his petition, he argued that the agency had not given him any specific reason as to why he was being interrogated and that the summons lacked jurisdiction, which was purportedly in respect to online gambling/betting in Pakistan Cricket. However, the Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has officially dismissed his petition after hearing the arguments presented by both parties.

It is reported that the Chief Justice said to Rizwan’s representative, “You should go on and respond to the notice. On which date was the notice issued to you?”

PCB To Initiate Disciplinary Against Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq

With the case now being officially dismissed, the PCB is now waiting on the sidelines to take a decision whether they need to initiate any formal disciplinary action against the two players. As per PTI, a source close to the developments has stated that the NCCIA is currently carrying out a comprehensive forensic examination of all the data contained on the mobile phones confiscated from the two Pakistani cricketers. The agency is now expected to finalise the digital review and submit their findings in detail to the PCB by next week.

The source said, “How the PCB decides to move against the two players will now depend on what findings the NCCIA submits to the PCB. If nothing out of the ordinary is found in the forensic examination, they will probably get reprieves.”