Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan has responded to a questionnaire issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), stating that although he received a notice from the agency on September 8, he was not provided with details of the allegations concerning online betting or gambling.
In his response, Rizwan said that during his appearance before the agency, he repeatedly asked for details of the allegations against him but was not informed of their full nature.
The cricketer maintained that the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit is the appropriate forum for investigating corruption-related allegations involving cricketers. He further stated that no such allegations against him had been referred to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. Rizwan requested that if any allegations had been made against him, their complete details should be provided so that he could participate in the inquiry and present his position.
He said that if the allegations concern corruption, online betting or gambling, the matter should be referred to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. Rizwan also stated that he was ready to cooperate with any investigation before the relevant forum, provided he was informed of the nature and details of the allegations, according to media reports.
Details sought by NCCIA
According to a five-page questionnaire obtained, the NCCIA sought extensive personal, financial and travel information from Rizwan as part of an inquiry into alleged gambling.
The questionnaire sought details of his parentage, date and place of birth, his wife’s name and information about his children. The agency also requested details of the Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and other social media accounts he had used during the past 10 years.
The NCCIA also asked the cricketer to provide information about his sources of income over the past five years, including salary, rental income, business and agricultural income, as well as profits earned from bank deposits.
The agency further sought details of household expenses, his children’s educational expenses and inherited property acquired or held during the past five years. Rizwan was also asked to provide documentary evidence regarding the source of any inherited property.
Details of property transactions, international tours, including their duration and expenses, and domestic travel during the past five years were also requested.
The questionnaire additionally sought information about all bank accounts and credit cards held by Rizwan during the past five years, along with details of any loans he may have obtained from other individuals.
Lahore High Court dismisses Rizwan’s petition
On the other hand, Lahore High Court has dismissed Rizwan’s petition challenging the NCCIA notice, declaring it non-maintainable.
LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition. Rizwan did not appear before the court, while his counsel, Umair Qazi, represented him.
During the hearing, Justice Aalia Neelum questioned Rizwan’s lawyer over the petitioner’s failure to disclose certain facts. She observed that a heavy fine could be imposed for concealing facts and noted that Rizwan had challenged the summons, whereas he should have responded to the show-cause notice.