A growing scandal involving confidential dressing-room leaks amidst the ongoing Pakistan's Test tour of England has snared high-profile cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. Following their sudden release from the Test squad after the match at Lord's, both players were sent back home and subsequently summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to face questioning at its Lahore headquarters.
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Rizwan, Imam under Cyber Investigation for Pakistan's dressing room leaks
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly confiscated the players' mobile devices prior to handing them directly over to cybercrime authorities. As part of the formal inquiry, investigators intend to access and extract data from the seized phones to probe the unauthorised disclosure of team communications, with a third unnamed Pakistani international also reportedly served a notice by the agency.
NCCIA seizes cricketers' phones
While maintaining radio silence regarding the seizure of the players' phones, the PCB initiated a wider housecleaning following a humbling second-Test loss to England at Lord's. In an unprecedented move, the board pulled nine members of the touring party off the tour mid-series and flew them home, a sweeping clear-out that included star players Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq alongside Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Owais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad while also terminating the contracts of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
To plug the sudden gaps, five uncapped players were drafted into the squad, and the white-ball coaching staff stepped in to manage the side for the remainder of the series. In the wake of this roster overhaul, cricket officials confirmed that an internal probe had been launched into team conduct. PCB Media Director Amir Mir addressed the situation publicly on X, acknowledging that the board is actively investigating media reports concerning discipline within the squad. Reassuring fans that standard regulatory protocols are being followed, Mir emphasized that the board is conducting its review internally while according full due process to all individuals under scrutiny.
“The PCB has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally,” Amir Mir assured on X.