Mohammad Rizwan was not allowed to play for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) intervened during an ongoing inquiry involving the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter.
Rizwan was named SNGPL’s vice-captain when the PCB announced the tournament squads on September 10. The President’s Trophy Grade-I started on September 12, with eight departmental teams taking part in the first-class competition.
Why Was Rizwan Stopped From Playing?
Initial reports said Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq could not play because their departments had not submitted the required fitness-test reports. The PCB requires players to meet fitness requirements before they can participate in first-class cricket.
However, a report published on September 22 provided more details about Rizwan’s absence. According to sources cited by Geo Super, Rizwan had already joined the SNGPL squad. He also attended a training session and a team meeting.
The PCB later contacted SNGPL and instructed the department to send Rizwan back. The ongoing inquiry involving the player was cited as the reason for the decision. This indicates that the issue went beyond the initial fitness-test explanation.
What Is the Inquiry About?
Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq were questioned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in September. Reports linked the inquiry to alleged online betting and gambling activities. The players were also questioned over alleged leaks of dressing-room information during Pakistan’s England tour.
The NCCIA has not publicly established wrongdoing by either player. Rizwan later challenged the proceedings in the Lahore High Court. The court dismissed his petition and directed him to respond to the agency’s questions.
A subsequent written court order clarified that a call-up notice is a procedural step used to gather information. Receiving such a notice does not, by itself, mean that a person has been found guilty of wrongdoing.
[IMAGE: Mohammad Rizwan during a Pakistan cricket match or training session]
What Happens Next for Rizwan?
Mohammad Rizwan’s exclusion from the President’s Trophy does not establish that he committed an offence. The NCCIA inquiry is a separate matter, and no final finding of wrongdoing against him has been reported.
For now, Rizwan remains associated with SNGPL’s domestic cricket setup. However, his participation in first-class cricket has been affected by the PCB’s decision while the inquiry continues.
The President’s Trophy Grade-I is scheduled to continue until October 28. The tournament features eight departmental teams competing in 28 four-day matches before the final.
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