PCB allows Mohammad Rizwan to play domestic cricket amid cybercrime probe

The wicket-keeper batter of the Pakistan cricket team, Mohammad Rizwan, has been granted permission to resume domestic cricket after the board cleared his return. He will lead the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) against the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the final round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026-27.   

An inquiry into the alleged online betting and gambling activities delayed his participation in the eight-team first-class tournament. SNGPL director of cricket, Mohammad Hafeez, confirmed that the Pakistan board’s director of domestic cricket had granted clearance for the wicket-keeper-batter to rejoin the side from October 19.

PCB clears Rizwan to return and lead SNGPL in the President’s trophy final round

Reports from Geo News have revealed that Mohammad Rizwan joined SNGPL after his mid-series omission from the Test squad of the Pakistan side during the United Kingdom tour of the England series. He was anticipated to captain the departmental side in the absence of regular captain Shan Masood.

The veteran batter reportedly attended a training session and a meeting before the board intervened. The board contracted the management of the side and directed it to send the batter back to Lahore, citing the ongoing inquiry.

The report has stated that SNGPL had been prepared to conduct a fitness test on Rizwan before the Pakistan board stepped in. The report noted that the other Pakistan players, who returned from England after the red-ball series, hadn’t faced similar testing requirements.

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The player had contracted the board to request a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the upcoming Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 as he had finalized a deal with a franchise and was waiting for the board’s decision on participation in the overseas event.

How has Mohammad Rizwan performed recently?

Rizwan’s last clash for the Pakistan side came at Lord’s during the England series when he returned with poor figures of 7 and 01. During the opening game of the series at Leeds in Headingley, the right-handed batter got 12 runs in the first innings and 41 in the second.

Even during the West Indies series in the Caribbean, Rizwan had a tough time as he ended up with 41 runs in three innings at an average of just under 14. His best score in the entire series was 18 runs during the second game at Port of Spain in Trinidad.

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He could be back in the international team if the board wants him for their next series, having not been included for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and England at home.