From Dawn · Mohammad Yaqoob | Mir Shabbar Ali · · 3m
PCB allows Rizwan, Imam to play domestic cricket
PCB permits Rizwan and Imam to compete in domestic cricket tournament after NCCIA probe.
In brief
PCB permits Rizwan and Imam to compete in domestic cricket tournament after NCCIA probe. Pakistan Cricket Board cleared Rizwan and Imam from NCCIA investigation to play in President's Trophy tournament. Originally reported by Dawn.
PCB permits Rizwan and Imam to play
The Pakistan Cricket Board allows former captain Mohammad Rizwan and opener Imamul Haq to represent their teams in the seventh round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I first-class tournament starting Monday.
Players under NCCIA investigation
Both Rizwan and Imam had been under investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency for alleged betting and gambling activities following Pakistan’s defeat in the second Test in England earlier this year.
Mobile phones confiscated
The pair, whose mobile phones were confiscated by the NCCIA, and five other players of the squad in England were withdrawn before the third and final Test which the tourists lost 3-0.
Allegations under Peca
According to some reports, both Rizwan and Imam are facing allegations under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).
Rizwan barred from tournament
Amid the probe, Rizwan was denied permission to feature in the eight-team President’s Trophy, which started last month.
Reason for bar
It was explained away as the player’s failure to appear in a pre-season fitness test, but it later emerged that he had been denied the go-ahead to play because of the NCCIA probe.
Hafeez's statement
SNGPL coach and former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said on electronic media that if available Rizwan would lead SNGPL in the next President’s Trophy match.
No bar on Rizwan
Hafeez’s statement indicates that there is no bar on Rizwan anymore and now it is up to the wicket-keeper/batsman’s own availability to lead the team.
Rizwan's Nepal League request
It has been reported that Rizwan had asked the PCB for the no-objection certificate to play the Nepal League, but the PCB only allowed him to feature in domestic cricket.
Imam's return confirmed
Meanwhile, Imam’s return to the domestic cricket was made official by the OGDCL.
OGDCL president confirms
Farah Batool, president of the OGDCL sports department, told _Dawn_ that Imam would play the seventh-round match of the President’s Trophy after receiving the directions from the PCB.
NCCIA summons
Rizwan was summoned by the NCCIA in Lahore on Oct 2 when the agency grilled him for more than three hours.
No NCCIA statement
However, no official statement on the matter has been released by the NCCIA so far.
National Cricket Academy denied
Rizwan, after this case emerged, had requested the PCB to allow him to use the National Cricket Academy which was denied.
The takeaway
Pakistan Cricket Board cleared Rizwan and Imam from NCCIA investigation to play in President's Trophy tournament.
