Rizwan vs NCCIA: LHC directs agency not to 'harass' cricketer, orders batsman to cooperate in inquiry

Rizwan vs NCCIA: LHC directs agency not to 'harass' cricketer, orders batsman to cooperate in inquiry.

Key points

• Wajih Ahmad Sheikh Published September 21, 2026 Updated September 21, 2026 10: 41pm.
• Advocate Qazi Umair Ali, the counsel for Rizwan, had argued that the matter had not been documented to the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
• On Sept 11, Imam and Rizwan were additionally barred from playing in the President's Trophy Grade-I domestic first-class tournament.
• The NCCIA inquiry was introduced pursuant to a complaint lodged by the Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakis­tan Cricket Board (PCB) during the recent England series.
• At the Sept 17 hearing, Justice Neelum had refused to entertain the plea and directed Rizwan's lawyer to submit a written response to the NCCIA notice first.

Wajih Ahmad Sheikh Published September 21, 2026 Updated September 21, 2026 10: 41pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has restrained the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) from causing any "harassment" to cricketer Mohammad Rizwan in connection with an inquiry initiated against him, it emerged on Monday.

She has additionally instructed the wicketkeeper-batsman to join and cooperate in the inquiry proceedings.

Meanwhile, the instructions were stated in a written court order of a Sept 17 hearing held on Rizwan's plea against the NCCIA inquiry and a call-up notice to him. The order remarked the petition had been dismissed.

"A call-up notice is merely a procedural mechanism for gathering information and does not by itself amount to an accusation of wrongdoing, " she remarked in her order.

In practice, the petitioner had asked the court to declare the call-up notice illegal.

Nevertheless, CJ Neelum ruled that the inquiry was neither without jurisdiction nor tainted by malice, but aimed at uncovering and eradicating corruption in sport, and therefore could not be interfered with at this preliminary stage.

Rizwan and fellow cricketer Imamul Haq had appeared before the NCCIA on Sept 10 after the notices being served to them, but the former had afterwards challenged the inquiry and the agency's notice in the LHC.

During the arguments, Deputy Attorney General Rafaqat Ali Dogar informed the court that the inquiry revolved around allegations of electronic fraud under Section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, (Peca) "arising from information said to have been obtained through cyber patrolling that connected the petitioner to the matter".

Advocate Qazi Umair Ali, the counsel for Rizwan, had argued that the matter had not been documented to the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). It he contended was the appropriate body to handle such allegations under the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Code for Participants.

Nevertheless, Chief Justice Neelum rejected this argument, noting that Section 1.11 of the ICC's code itself stated that it established disciplinary rules rather than criminal law, and did not "operate to prejudice or undermine the application of applicable laws – participants remain bound to comply with them at all times".

According to The chief justice further, even to claim "substantial assistance" under the code, a participant was required to cooperate with prosecuting or regulatory authorities, meaning the existence of the ICC's disciplinary framework did not bar a state agency from conducting its own inquiry.

According to She, the petitioner would be free to pursue appropriate legal remedies if they had any grievance regarding the eventual outcome of the inquiry.

She directed Rizwan to cooperate in the inquiry and the NCCIA to ensure the cricketer was not subjected to "harassment or unnecessary inconvenience" and the process was conducted strictly in accordance with law.

With regard to Rizwan's prayer for the return of the articles seized or confiscated from him, the chief justice remarked the petitioner may avail an appropriate remedy before the court of competent jurisdiction.

In his plea, Rizwan had criticised the NCCIA notice and the inquiry initiated by the agency. According to the plea, the NCCIA had directed Rizwan to appear before it on Sept 10 in connection with allegations of online betting or gambling in Pakistan cricket.

He had argued in his plea that the notice was vague, arbitrary and issued without legal jurisdiction.

For context, the petition had contended that online betting was not a scheduled offence under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 or the amendments created to the law in 2025. It rendered the probe a "fishing and roving expedition" intended to harass and malign Rizwan's reputation.

Expressing apprehension over potential "coercive" measures, including his arrest or detention, Rizwan had pressed the court to set aside the notice, quash the inquiry, and restrain authorities from taking any "adverse" action against him.

Notably, the NCCIA inquiry was introduced pursuant to a complaint lodged by the Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakis­tan Cricket Board (PCB) during the recent England series. It concluded with a dismal 3-0 Test whitewash for the national side.

At the time, reports stated that the NCCIA's probe pertained to alleged dressing-room leaks during the recent England series.

While the England series was ongoing, that it had "initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally", the PCB additionally unveiled on Sept 7.

In practice, the two were additionally among the seven players who were called back home after Pakistan's defeats in the first two Tests, leaving England with an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

Wajih Ahmad Sheikh is a Lahore-based correspondent for Dawn with over two decades of experience covering legal affairs and judicial developments. He can be discovered on X at @wajihsheikh.

For now, rizwan vs NCCIA: LHC directs agency not to ' harass' cricketer, orders batsman remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.