The Pindiz franchise has denied media reports claiming that owner M. Ahsan Tahir threatened to withdraw the team from the PSL over the Mohammad Rizwan investigation. The franchise called the remarks attributed to Tahir regarding the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) inquiry completely fabricated.
The controversy emerged after a media outlet reported that Tahir would pull the team out if Mohammad Rizwan was banned. He is currently under investigation by the NCCIA over allegations related to online betting and the alleged leaking of dressing-room information during the Test series in England.
The Pindiz Denies Statements Attributed to M. Ahsan Tahir on Mohammad Rizwan
The Pindiz released an official statement clarifying that Tahir had not commented on Mohammad Rizwan’s case. The franchise said the remarks published in the media were not made by its owner.
“To be unequivocally clear: Mr. Tahir has issued no statement whatsoever on this matter. The remarks published and attributed to him were not made by him and are entirely fabricated,” the statement read.
Reports had claimed that Tahir could reconsider his involvement in the PSL. They also attributed comments to him about Mohammad Rizwan being a major reason behind his decision to buy the Pindiz franchise.
The reports further claimed that Tahir viewed Rizwan as a mentor whose leadership and values had influenced him beyond cricket. They also said his business interests in Pakistan and the United States meant he did not depend on the PSL franchise for his livelihood.
Franchise Demands Retraction and Public Apology
The franchise has formally asked the media organization concerned to withdraw the report and correct the record. It also called for a public apology over the statements attributed to its owner.
“The Pindiz has formally called upon the media organisation concerned to immediately retract the fabricated attribution, publish a clear correction, and issue an appropriate public apology,” the statement said.
“We take the unauthorised fabrication and attribution of statements to our ownership seriously. The Pindiz reserves all rights and will take such measures as may be appropriate to protect the reputation and interests of Mr. Tahir and the organisation,” it added.
Mohammad Rizwan-NCCIA Inquiry Continues
Mohammad Rizwan remains under investigation by the NCCIA over allegations involving online betting and the possible leaking of confidential team information during Pakistan’s Test series against England. The inquiry has not resulted in a final finding against Rizwan, and no official ban has been announced.
Rizwan’s mobile phone was taken into custody after the Lord’s Test in England. His lawyer, Qazi Umair Ali, told the Lahore High Court that Rizwan had been questioned at a hotel and was told that his phone would be returned within three hours. The device has not yet been returned.
Rizwan and fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq appeared before the NCCIA in Lahore on September 10 after receiving notices as part of the inquiry. Both players have yet to be found guilty of any wrongdoing.
The Lahore High Court has allowed the investigation to continue but directed the NCCIA not to harass Rizwan or cause him unnecessary inconvenience. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum dismissed Rizwan’s petition challenging the inquiry and call-up notice while directing him to cooperate with the proceedings.
The court’s order allows the NCCIA inquiry to proceed but does not establish that Rizwan committed an offence. The investigation remains ongoing, with the agency required to follow the law and Rizwan required to cooperate with the proceedings.
