- Investigators review messages, contacts and phone data.
- Initial phone examination reveals nothing significant, say sources.
- Social media claims of dressing-room leaks under probe: sources.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will decide the fate of experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Test opener Imam-ul-Haq in light of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) probe report, sources privy to the matter said on Wednesday.
The NCCIA is carrying out a forensic examination of the mobile phones of the players amid an inquiry into alleged dressing-room leaks during the Test series against England, the sources told Geo News.
According to the sources, the PCB took custody of the players’ mobile phones before handing them over to the relevant authorities for examination. Investigators have been reviewing messages, contacts and other digital information retrieved from the devices.
The sources said information circulating on social media concerning alleged leaks from the Pakistan dressing room is also part of the investigation.
The initial examination of the mobile phones reportedly did not reveal anything significant. However, further forensic analysis is continuing at the NCCIA headquarters in Islamabad, the sources said.
The investigation is also reportedly examining the financial dealings and suspected transactions of the two players.
Their financial activity before and after the England series, including relevant bank accounts and transactions, is being reviewed. Investigators will reportedly trace the source and destination of funds if any suspicious transactions are identified.
Rizwan and Imam appeared before the NCCIA in Lahore earlier this month and were questioned regarding the alleged leaks.
The NCCIA is expected to submit its findings to PCB officials once the forensic examination is completed.
Meanwhile, Rizwan has submitted a written response to the NCCIA seeking clarification over the reasons for his summons and asking why his mobile phone has not yet been returned.
The PCB has previously said it would not comment on the ongoing inquiry. The allegations remain under investigation and no final finding against either player has been announced.
The developments followed Pakistan’s dismal performance in the England Test series, with the team suffering an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test and a 194-run loss at Lord’s in the second.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took emergency measures after the Lord’s defeat, releasing seven players including Rizwan, Imam, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Owais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad, along with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
Earlier, the PCB had sought a written explanation from a selection committee member over the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam in the Test squads for the West Indies and England tours, issuing a formal notice on August 31 referencing a June 2 selection meeting.
Rizwan, 34, who has represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 103 ODIs and 106 T20Is, reportedly contacted the PCB before appearing before the NCCIA and travelled from London to Islamabad after being dropped from the squad.
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