The Lahore High Court has officially rejected Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s petition challenging the summons issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The decisive ruling was delivered by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum following a detailed hearing on the matter.
In his legal plea, Rizwan had questioned the NCCIA’s jurisdiction and requested an immediate halt to their proceedings. The star cricketer argued that the agency was investigating an “unknown allegation” without outlining any specific charges or providing clarity on the nature of the inquiry.
Addressing the media, Rizwan’s legal counsel, Qazi Umair Ali, confirmed that a formal response to the NCCIA notice has already been submitted. He also raised significant jurisdictional concerns, pointing out that matters such as online betting are strictly governed by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit, making the actual motive of the NCCIA’s probe highly questionable.
This legal friction unfolds amid ongoing scrutiny involving both Rizwan and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq, who were abruptly recalled from Pakistan’s Test tour of England to face investigations. Both players were issued extensive questionnaires with a September 15 deadline, which Imam has reportedly already fulfilled as the board weighs its next steps.
