Former captain Mohammad Rizwan and opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq received clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board to resume playing domestic cricket while an inquiry into suspected betting and gambling continues.
Beginning Monday, both athletes are eligible to feature for their respective squads during the seventh round of the President's Trophy Grade-I first-class competition. Rizwan competes for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, while Imam turns out for Oil and Gas Development Company Limited.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency launched a probe involving the pair following Pakistan's loss in the second Test against England earlier in the year.
Investigators seized the mobile phones of both cricketers as part of the inquiry. Prior to the third and final Test, which concluded a 3-0 series sweep for England, Rizwan, Imam, and five additional players were removed from the team lineup.
Allegations against the two cricketers fall under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, according to reports.
Earlier, Rizwan was blocked from playing in the President's Trophy when the tournament opened last month. While officials initially blamed his missed preseason fitness test for the absence, it later came to light that the ban stemmed from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency probe.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board has not released a formal statement concerning this recent update, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited coach and former Pakistan team captain Mohammad Hafeez stated on television that Rizwan will captain the side in their upcoming President's Trophy fixture if he is ready.
This commentary indicates that the ban on Rizwan playing domestic matches has ended.
Reports indicate Rizwan previously asked for a no-objection certificate to join the Nepal League, but the Pakistan Cricket Board only allowed him to play domestically.
At the same time, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited verified that Imam will participate in the upcoming matches. Farah Batool, who heads the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited sports department, stated that Imam will take the field following directives from the Pakistan Cricket Board, and board insiders verified the update.
On October 2, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency summoned Rizwan to Lahore for an interrogation lasting more than three hours. The agency has not yet published an official statement about the case.
After the investigation became public, Rizwan asked for access to the National Cricket Academy, but the Pakistan Cricket Board denied the application.
