LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain and veteran cricketer Mohammad Rizwan was on Thursday summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to its office in Lahore on Friday.

Wicket-keeper/batter Rizwan has been under the NCCIA probe during the past month or so after the agency confiscated the 34-year-old player’s mobile phone in England during Pakistan Test team’s tour to the country over allegations concerning online betting, gambling and team information leaks from the dressing room. Pakistan suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the said series.

Sources told Dawn that the NCCIA, investigating the matter involving Rizwan, issued him a second notice on Thursday. Sources close to the wicket-keeper said that he would appear before the agency along with his lawyer.

Some electronic media outlets quoting Rizwan have reported that the second notice mentions no word about the allegation of online betting and gambling.

The immediate purpose stated in the notice is the forensic examination and analysis of Rizwan’s mobile phone, which was taken from him by the NCCIA on the night of Aug 30-31.

However, sources said Rizwan is demanding clarity as to exactly what he is being investigated for.

Interestingly, NCCIA’s fresh notice issued on Wednesday stated that Rizwan was being investigated under the “relevant provisions of PECA 2016”, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, though the agency did not clarify what provision of that clause Rizwan had violated.

Rizwan, who handed over his mobile phone to the NCCIA on Aug 30-31 night, has complained that he was not given a seizure receipt, warrant or custody document, and has repeatedly asked for the phone to be returned.

The NCCIA, however, wants Rizwan present so that it can carry out the forensic examination of the device with his cooperation.

It may be mentioned here that Rizwan had also moved the Lahore High Court through his lawyer to challenge the NCCIA inquiry and notice.

However, on Sept 17, LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum did not quash the investigation and directed the cricketer’s lawyer to respond to the agency and cooperate.

At the same time, the LHC directed the NCCIA not to harass or unnecessarily inconvenience Rizwan while the inquiry proceeds.

The cricketer, in the meantime, has also written a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the case asking if it has any role in it.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2026