Table of Contents
Pakistan National Cricket Team keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is reportedly seeking permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to speak out publicly about the ongoing investigation process. A few days ago, he was summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), alleging that he and Imam-ul-Haq were involved in illegal betting-related activities.
Media reports suggested that Rizwan twice urged the cricket board to allow him to speak out about what he faced and why, publicly. PCB, headed by Mohsin Naqvi, however, denied permission to allow their experienced cricketer to speak out on both occasions.
PCB barred Mohammad Rizwan from addressing NCCIA investigation publicly
Pakistani local media outlet Geo TV made some surprising claims through its recent reports, which hinted at the ongoing tension involving Rizwan. The media report, published on September 21, claimed that Mohammad Rizwan wanted to address the controversy about the NCCIA inquiry and the details of actions taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
In the mid-phase of the recently concluded England vs Pakistan three-match Test series, PCB took a massive step, snubbing seven cricketers and the head coach and the assistant coach from the Test team. The shuffle had been done after two heavy defeats in Leeds and Lord's. It was initially assumed the axing was purely because of the poor form of the cricketers.
PCB took cricketers' phones into custody
Later, some media reports and one of the sources of the cricket board confirmed an internal inquiry. It was also reported that the PCB took some of their cricketers' devices, including their phones, into their custody. As soon as the news broke out in the public domain, it started a row of controversy, as Pakistan cricket has a history of match-fixing.
Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq had to face a session of questions and answers, which lasted around a couple of hours, as it was reported earlier. It still remains undisclosed for what exact reasons the cricketers were called off from the middle of the England tour.
Geo TV, in its latest report, also mentioned that the keeper-batter requested the PCB to permit him to speak in the public domain in accordance with the provisions of his central contract. But PCB rejected the plea.
As per Clause 4.1 of the central contract, a player is required to take permission from the cricket board before issuing any public statement. As PCB denied to grant permissions in both occasions, Mohammad Rizwan is keeping his mouth shut.
Mohammad Rizwan wanted to clear his position in the investigation: Report
But why did he want to address the matter in public? The report further claimed that Rizwan's intention was only to explain the sequence of the event and his personal stance on the entire matter, but not to accuse the cricket board by any means.
To have some clarity on the NCCIA investigation, Mohammad Rizwan sought support from the Lahore High Court, but the court also refused to provide any comfort to him. He also sought help from the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
