Rizwan, NCCIA tight-lipped after player appears for questioning

LAHORE: Pakistan’s wicket-keeper/batter Mohammad Rizwan appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) here on Friday in a case concerning allegations of online betting, gambling and leaking of team information from the dressing room during the Test series in England earlier this year. Neither Rizwan nor any NCCIA official were ready to respond to media queries after the cricketer came out of the agency’s office after more than three and a half hours of investigation conducted by four NCCIA officials. Rizwan, 34, was served a notice by the NCCIA under the Criminal Procedure Code Section 160. When asked how the conduct of the agency’s official was and what questions he faced, a smiling Rizwan said: “I am deaf (in this connection), the conduct (of NCCIA officials) was good. I am feeling hungry; so let me go” before leaving the venue. It may be mentioned here that the NCCIA had confiscated Rizwan’s mobile phone in England on Aug 30, reportedly, having some secret information. The agency had promised that it will return the phone in three hours but it was not given to the player before he was summoned for inquiry on Friday. It is still not clear if the NCCIA has returned Rizwan’s phone. And there is no information if the agency will again summon the player. It is learnt Rizwan was summoned for his face recognition, which is necessary for daily forensics of the phone. Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026