Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq are in controversy as now even Pakistan National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned both the players for questioning, latest being their Test tour to England.
Both players were issued with summons by the cybercrime agency and went to be questioned by investigators on Thursday, according to reports. It is understood one of the cricketers spent several hours at the agency’s office. A questionnaire has also reportedly been issued to one of the players, who has been told he must provide written responses to the NCCIA next week.
The precise rationale for the questioning has not yet been made public. It is also uncertain if the NCCIA hearings relate to a probe into internal disciplinary matters launched by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the conduct and discipline of some team members in England.
Rizwan and Imam Were Removed From Pakistan’s Squad
Pakistan had sent Rizwan and Imam, along with five other players home following the humiliating loss against England at Lord’s in the second Test. Pakistan went down 194 runs in that game having been routed by an innings and 103 runs in the first Test.
The PCB then made significant alterations to the squad, replacing seven players for England. Of those replacements, five had no previous international experience.
The tour wasn’t a good one with the bat for Rizwan. In England he scored 12, 41, 7 and 1. But then his wicketkeeping continued to win him admirers.
Imam’s Injury Also Came Under Scrutiny
Imam-ul-Haq’s situation was different. The opener went off the field with a grade-1 tear in his left calf on day one at Lord’s and did not bat in either of Pakistan’s innings.
The injury later gained some controversy as Pakistan chief selector Aaqib Javed raised questions over it and suggested that there could be an investigation into his fitness.
PCB Conduct Inquiry Continues
This latest development on NCCIA comes following the PCB’s announcement of an internal investigation into allegations regarding discipline and conduct during the England tour.
The players who were asked those questions, meanwhile, have yet to be publicly identified by the board. It has stated that the matter is being investigated under PCB regulations.
The PCB is said to have also questioned the selection of Rizwan and Imam during Pakistan’s recent tours of West Indies and England. Selectors were requested to prepare written justifications for their selection.
The latest investigations cast even more doubt over Pakistan cricket as officials continue to investigate just what went so very wrong in England before wholesale changes were made to the squad.
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