PCB denies Mohammad Rizwan permission to speak to the media amid NCCIA betting investigation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), reportedly, has denied its wicket-keeper batter, Mohammad Rizwan, permission to speak to the public and the media regarding the NCCIA betting investigation. A few days ago, he was called upon by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), claiming that he and Imam-ul-Haq were involved in illegal activities.  

Mohammad Rizwan’s batting performance was poor during the two-match Test series against West Indies, as it continued during the first couple of games of the England series at Headingley and Lord’s before he was sent back home by the board mid-series ahead of the third encounter at Lord’s.

PCB denies Rizwan permission to address media twice as NCCIA betting probe continues

PCB, headed by Mohsin Naqvi, blocked permission to allow their experienced cricketer to speak out on both occasions. The Pakistan media reports have expressed that Rizwan wanted to address the controversy about the NCCIA inquiry and the details of actions taken by the board.

Some of the media reports and the sources have confirmed an internal inquiry. It was reported that the board took some of their players’ devices, including their phones, into their custody. Once the news broke to the public, it sparked controversy as Pakistan cricket has a long history of match-fixing.

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But why would Rizwan even want to address the matter in public? The report further claimed that Rizwan’s intention was only to explain the sequence of the competition and his personal stance on the entire matter, but not to accuse the board in any way.

What is the Mohammad Rizwan betting case? Phone seized, sent home from England tour explained

Rizwan and Imam were among the seven players to be sent back home from England mid-series after the Lord’s Test by the PCB. They had to face a session of questions and answers, which lasted around a couple of hours, as it was reported earlier. It wasn’t disclosed for what reasons the players were called off from the middle of the England trip.

The reports have mentioned that the wicket-keeper requested the PCB to give him permission to speak in the public domain in accordance with the provisions of his central contract.

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Clause 4.1 of the central contract states that a player is required to take permission from the cricket board before issuing a public statement. The PCB denied permission on both occasions.