According to Geo News, Rizwan was called from his hotel room to the lobby at around 1:30am, where a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official and an unidentified person were present. He was questioned about online betting companies and gambling before being asked to hand over his mobile phone.
Sources said Rizwan initially refused several times and asked why his phone was being taken and what allegations he was facing. He eventually agreed after being told to hand over the phone for the sake of Pakistan.
Rizwan was reportedly assured that the phone would be returned within a few hours. As he was scheduled to fly back to Pakistan the following day, he repeatedly asked the team manager about the device but did not receive a satisfactory response.
He later learned that his phone had reached the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore and had not been returned.
Recent reports said the NCCIA was conducting forensic examinations of the mobile phones belonging to Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. The investigation is reportedly examining financial transactions, alleged online betting activity and the possible leaking of dressing-room information during Pakistan’s tour of England.
Sources close to Rizwan said his concerns were not about the investigation itself but about the procedure followed in taking and transferring his phone.
According to the sources, a player’s mobile phone may be taken by security officials or a team manager under certain circumstances under the central contract, but questions remain over whether a written inspection report, reasons for taking the device and a receipt were provided.
The sources also questioned whether the procedure was conducted under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. If so, they asked where the written request was, and if the ICC code was not invoked, under what authority the phone was taken into custody.
In a written response submitted to the NCCIA, Rizwan also sought clarification over why his phone had not been returned and the reasons for requesting it.
Questions have also been raised over the transfer of the phone from the UK to Pakistan. Sources asked whether British authorities, including the Metropolitan Police or the National Crime Agency, were informed when the phone was taken in London, and whether any warrant, court application or legal authorisation was involved.
Rizwan has also sought guidance from the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit on the matter. Reports said he asked whether taking his phone, transferring it from the UK to Pakistan and conducting a forensic examination were in accordance with the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
He also reportedly asked whether ICC or England and Wales Cricket Board anti-corruption officials were aware of or involved in the process.
According to sources, Rizwan’s request to the ICC was not a complaint against any individual or organisation but a request for clarification about the procedure and his responsibilities when cooperating with anti-corruption officials.
Rizwan has also sought clarification regarding allegations related to his visits to a mosque, asking which specific day, practice session or team meeting he allegedly missed and whether this amounted to a disciplinary or security violation.
Sources further questioned whether the same rules were being applied to two former players in relation to investigations involving betting platforms.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court on September 17 dismissed Rizwan’s petition challenging NCCIA notices and the investigation. The court directed him to first respond to the NCCIA notice.
