The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency is investigating online betting and gambling links involving Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, while Rizwan’s legal challenge has been dismissed by the Lahore High Court.
Details have emerged regarding an ongoing inquiry by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) involving senior national cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq.
The NCCIA issued a notice to Mohammad Rizwan stating that the agency is conducting an inquiry into online betting and gambling within Pakistan cricket and requires his statement to be recorded.
Rizwan initially approached the Lahore High Court to challenge the agency’s proceedings. However, the court dismissed his petition and directed him to cooperate with the NCCIA and present his position before the agency. Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq has already appeared before the NCCIA in connection with the matter, with both players facing detailed questionnaires regarding their financial and personal backgrounds.
The inquiry surfaced after changes were made to the Pakistan cricket team squad during a tour of England, which saw players including Rizwan and Imam released from the Test squad. Initial reports had linked the NCCIA inquiry to alleged leaks of dressing-room information or material; however, court records later clarified that the investigation focuses on online betting and gambling.
The NCCIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Center in Lahore issued Rizwan a notice under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, summoning him to record his statement. The notice warned that failure to appear could be construed as having no defense.
A five-page questionnaire submitted by the NCCIA to the Lahore High Court includes requests for extensive personal and financial data. Investigators asked for details regarding Rizwan’s family background, social media accounts used over the past decade across platforms including Facebook, X, and Instagram, and five years of income sources spanning salary, rent, business, and agricultural earnings.
The questionnaire also seeks information on bank profits, household and educational expenses, inherited properties, real estate transactions over the past five years, domestic and international travel history, and all active bank accounts, credit cards, and loans.
In his response submitted to the agency, Rizwan stated that he received the NCCIA notice on September 8 and maintained that investigators have not yet provided specific details regarding the exact allegations against him.
Rizwan argued that as an active international cricketer, any corruption-related allegations concerning cricket should be handled by the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit. He requested clear details of any specific allegations so that he could properly participate in the inquiry and mount a defense.
During the Lahore High Court hearing, assistant attorney general Rafaqat Dogar represented the NCCIA and submitted the agency’s questionnaire to the court. Rizwan’s counsel argued that his client had not been provided clear details of the accusations. Following the proceedings, the court dismissed the petition and directed the cricketer to engage directly with the NCCIA.