Under-investigation Pakistan duo Imam and Rizwan put up statement knocks on domestic return

Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, both subject to questioning by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency over alleged dressing-room leaks from the England Test tour, returned to domestic cricket on October 20 and delivered notable performances in the President’s Trophy.

Imam struck an unbeaten 118 off 196 deliveries for OGDCL against Ghani, hitting 11 fours to bring up his 17th first-class century. He shared an 88-run stand with opening partner Ali Asif, who made 42, before adding 173 runs alongside Saad Khan, who contributed 88. OGDCL closed day one on 277 for 3 in reply to Ghani’s first-innings total of 232.

Rizwan led the SNGPL batting card against KRL with 64 runs off 81 deliveries, including 10 fours, before Muhammad Danial Ali Khan ended his innings. SNGPL were dismissed for 195 in their total.

What is the background to the NCCIA investigation?

The case traces back to Pakistan’s England Test tour in 2026. After the side lost the second Test at Lord’s, seven players including Rizwan and Imam, together with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, were sent home from the tour.

PCB security officers collected the mobile phones of both players following the Lord’s Test, and data extracted from those devices was passed to the relevant authorities. The NCCIA subsequently called both men in for questioning regarding alleged leaks of dressing-room information, though the precise content of what was allegedly shared has not been publicly confirmed.

Imam had come under additional scrutiny from PCB chief selector and director of high performance Aaqib Javed, who publicly cast doubt on the legitimacy of Imam’s fitness issue and put him on notice of a possible inquiry. Imam had suffered a left-calf muscle tear during the second Test and did not take the field to bat in either Pakistan innings. Rizwan drew separate criticism over his output in that match, having managed only eight runs across both innings, with observers taking issue with the nature of his dismissals.

Rizwan appeared before the NCCIA in Lahore on October 10, 2026, with reports at that stage indicating the probe could be nearing its conclusion. Whether the NCCIA process runs parallel to or is formally linked with a PCB disciplinary inquiry has not been clarified by either body.

What did the PCB decide before both players took the field?

Imam received formal clearance from the PCB to participate in domestic cricket on October 19, 2026, having been barred from playing while the investigation remained active. His permission arrived one day before his century knock for OGDCL in the President’s Trophy.

As of October 20, 2026, neither the PCB nor the NCCIA has issued a formal statement on the current status of the probe. No charges have been filed and no disciplinary findings have been announced against either player. The investigation remains ongoing, and no confirmed procedural outcome has been made public.