Photo: Collected
Mohammad Rizwan wanted to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation in Pakistan cricket and the seizure of his mobile phone. But the wicketkeeper-batter got no response despite seeking permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) twice.
Pakistani media outlet Geo News reported this information, citing sources.
The PCB recently sent seven cricketers home from the England tour, among whom were Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency then began an investigation against them to look into allegations of possible corruption and involvement in online gambling. They were interrogated for about two hours. At the same time, the PCB’s security team seized their mobile phones.
According to the Geo News report, Rizwan wanted to make his position on the whole incident clear in public. The 34-year-old cricketer also wanted to give an explanation of the allegations raised against him. He had also written to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit to learn about the investigation process.
Rizwan had sought permission to speak publicly in compliance with the terms of the central contract. According to clause 4.1 of the contract, players have to take the board’s permission before making public statements on any matter covered by the contract. But the PCB did not consent to either of Rizwan’s two requests.
Geo News’s sources claim that it is not Rizwan’s intention to raise allegations against the PCB or any other institution. Rather, he wanted to speak in order to present the sequence of the whole incident and his own position on the matter before the general public.
