ISLAMABAD: The sources who spoke to ARY News on Monday stated that Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has twice asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for permission to address the public about the current investigation against him, but both requests were turned down.
Insiders revealed that Rizwan wished to discuss the scandal surrounding the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) probe, which included details about his cell phone being confiscated after the Test match versus England at Lord’s.
In addition, the former captain of Pakistan’s white-ball team wished to publicly address the accusations made against him and give insights on a letter he had sent to the International Cricket Council regarding the case.
The sources further disclosed that Rizwan asked authorization from the PCB in compliance with the terms of his central contract, but on both occasions, the board declined to provide the approval.
A player must get consent before making any public remarks about topics covered by the agreement, according to Clause 4.1 of the central contract. Insiders say that Rizwan intended to invoke Clause 16, which requires the PCB and the player to cooperate.
Sources further said Rizwan’s intention was not to make allegations against the PCB or any other body but to lay out his stance and the sequence of events before the public.
The disclosure coincides with the ongoing NCCIA investigation into the seizure of Rizwan’s cell phone following the Lord’s Test in England.
Rizwan’s attorney, Qazi Umair Ali, told Chief Justice Aalia Neelum at a hearing at the Lahore High Court (LHC) last week that the cricketer had been summoned to a hotel lobby following the Test and questioned without being given a notice.
The cricket player’s legal advisor claimed that his cell phone would be returned in three hours; it was taken into custody. The gadget has not so far been given back.
Sources earlier claimed that Rizwan also pleaded with the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) for advice on the seizure of his phone.
