Lahore, September 21, 2026: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has twice sought permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to publicly address the ongoing inquiry against him but was denied on both occasions, Pakistani media reported on Monday, citing sources.
According to the sources, Rizwan wanted to clarify the controversy surrounding the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) inquiry, including the seizure of his mobile phone following the Lord’s Test against England.
The former Pakistan white-ball captain also wanted to respond publicly to the allegations against him and explain the circumstances surrounding a letter he had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Sources said Rizwan sought the PCB’s permission in accordance with provisions of his central contract. The board, however, refused permission on both occasions.
Under Clause 4.1 of the central contract, players are required to obtain permission before making public statements concerning matters covered by the agreement. Rizwan, according to the sources, also sought to invoke Clause 16, which provides for mutual cooperation between the PCB and the player.
The sources said Rizwan did not intend to make accusations against the PCB or any other organisation, but wanted to present his position and explain the sequence of events to the public.
The development comes amid the ongoing NCCIA inquiry following the seizure of Rizwan’s mobile phone after the Lord’s Test in England.
During a hearing at the Lahore High Court (LHC) last week, Rizwan’s lawyer, Qazi Umair Ali, told Chief Justice Aalia Neelum that the cricketer had been summoned to a hotel lobby after the Test and questioned without being served a notice.
According to his counsel, Rizwan’s mobile phone was taken into custody after he was assured it would be returned within three hours. The device has reportedly not yet been returned.
Earlier, sources told Geo News that Rizwan had also sought guidance from the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) regarding the seizure of his phone.
He reportedly asked whether the ICC or England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) anti-corruption authorities were aware of or involved in the action taken against him.
Rizwan also sought clarification on whether the procedure followed in requesting, transferring and conducting a forensic examination of his mobile phone was consistent with the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
The NCCIA inquiry concerns online betting and gambling in Pakistan cricket, while reports have also linked the investigation to alleged leaks of information from the Pakistan dressing room during the Test series against England.
Rizwan and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq appeared before the agency in Lahore earlier this month. No final finding against either player has been officially announced.
Rizwan and Imam were among seven players released from Pakistan’s Test squad following the team’s defeat to England at Lord’s.
