Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has issued a second formal letter to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) demanding the return of his mobile phone and a written explanation of the ongoing investigation. The correspondence, dated September 29, 2026, follows a Lahore High Court directive regarding the agency’s conduct during the inquiry.
The NCCIA has held Rizwan’s device since August 31, 2026, when it was seized in England after Pakistan’s 3-0 Test series loss. Rizwan’s legal counsel states that the agency has not provided the clarification required after the device’s forensic examination exceeded the timeframes initially discussed.
This follows a September 17 ruling by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum. The court dismissed Rizwan’s challenge to the NCCIA’s jurisdiction but restrained the agency from subjecting the cricketer to “harassment or unnecessary inconvenience.” The court also directed Rizwan to cooperate with the preliminary probe.
The inquiry involves allegations of ‘Wrongful Gain’ under Section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016. The NCCIA is reportedly investigating links to online betting, gambling, and the alleged leaking of dressing-room information. Rizwan maintains that he “voluntarily handed over the device despite having no legal obligation to do so” while in the United Kingdom.
Although agency sources previously alleged a lack of cooperation, Rizwan’s latest letter notes that he provided security credentials and passwords in both the UK and Lahore. The player’s representatives expressed frustration that the phone remains in custody nearly a month after a three-hour window for forensic mirroring was suggested.
Opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq was also summoned by the NCCIA as part of the investigation. Reports indicate Imam-ul-Haq has submitted his response to the agency’s questionnaire through an intermediary. The investigation began after the conclusion of the Test series against England in August 2026.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not provided an official statement regarding why team security personnel initially took possession of players’ phones before they were transferred to the NCCIA. The agency’s forensic audit continues to examine electronic evidence and specific transactions identified in preliminary reports.
