Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq were questioned by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore, according to Cricinfo.
The two players were among seven dropped from the squad during the ongoing Test series against England and sent home following Pakistan’s loss in the second Test at Lord’s.
They were summoned to appear before the NCCIA and attended the agency’s office on Thursday. At least one of the players reportedly spent several hours at the facility. It remains unclear why the players were questioned or whether the interrogation is connected to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) own inquiry, which was announced earlier this week. The PCB stated it “initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally,” without identifying any players.
According to Cricinfo, at least one player received a questionnaire to complete and return to the NCCIA by next week.
Mohammad Rizwan experienced a disappointing tournament with scores of 12, 41, 7 and 1 during the England tour. His form was similarly modest in the preceding two Tests in the Caribbean.
Imam-ul-Haq was diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear in his left calf after the first day at Lord’s and did not participate in either of Pakistan’s innings. On the final morning, he attempted light knockdowns during the pre-match warm-up but appeared to struggle physically. Aaqib Javed, PCB chief selector and director of high performance, publicly questioned Imam’s injury and indicated a possible inquiry could follow.
In addition to Rizwan and Imam, the PCB released Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad from the squad after Pakistan’s 194-run defeat at Lord’s. This loss followed an innings and 103-run defeat at Leeds in the series opener.
Five uncapped players were added to the squad alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah. The PCB also sent head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul home following the Lord’s defeat, appointing Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, members of Pakistan’s white-ball coaching staff, as head coach and bowling coach respectively.