Lahore, September 11, 2026: Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq were questioned by the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore on Thursday as fallout from the national team’s disappointing Test tour of England continued.
The two players were among seven cricketers dropped from the Pakistan squad and sent back home following the team’s defeat in the second Test at Lord’s. They had been summoned by the NCCIA and appeared before the agency on Thursday, with at least one of them reportedly remaining there for several hours.
The exact nature of the questioning has not been disclosed. It is also unclear whether the NCCIA proceedings are linked to an internal inquiry initiated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The PCB said earlier this week that it had launched an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct. The board did not name any players, saying the matter was being reviewed internally under PCB regulations.
According to reports, at least one of the players has been provided with a questionnaire and asked to submit responses to the NCCIA next week.
Following Pakistan’s 194-run defeat to England at Lord’s, seven players, along with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, were removed from the squad. Seven replacements were subsequently sent to England, five of whom were uncapped at international level.
Rizwan struggled for runs during the tour, scoring 12, 41, 7 and 1 in his four innings. He had also produced modest returns during Pakistan’s two-Test series in the Caribbean. His wicketkeeping, however, remained highly regarded. His dismissal for one in the second innings at Lord’s drew criticism.
Imam, meanwhile, was diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear in his left calf after the first day’s play at Lord’s and did not take the field during Pakistan’s innings. He also struggled during a warm-up attempt on the final morning.
PCB chief selector and director of high performance Aaqib Javed publicly questioned the nature of Imam’s injury and indicated that an inquiry could be held.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while defending the changes to the squad, had said the reasons went beyond performance.
“We have had a discussion to ascertain the reasons behind it. They include factors beyond performance and we will get to the bottom of it,” he said.
The selection of Rizwan and Imam for the West Indies and England tours also came under scrutiny. The PCB issued a notice to selectors following the Lord’s Test, seeking written explanations within 24 hours regarding the reasons and process behind their selection.
Misbah-ul-Haq, one of the selectors, subsequently resigned from his position following the squad changes.
Rizwan, Imam ruled out of President’s Trophy
Rizwan and Imam have also been ruled out of the President’s Trophy, which begins on September 12, after failing to appear for mandatory fitness tests.
The PCB has made fitness tests compulsory for players participating in domestic competitions from this season. The two players consequently became ineligible for the first-class tournament.
Imam had been named captain of OGDCL, while Rizwan was appointed vice-captain of SNGPL for the President’s Trophy and Cup squads announced by the PCB on September 10, two days before the tournament begins.
