PCB allows Muhammad Rizwan to play domestic cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted permission for former captain Mohammad Rizwan to participate in the President’s Trophy domestic cricket tournament. According to the Daily Times, Rizwan will represent Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) starting Monday. Yahoo Sports reports that SNGPL director and head coach Mohammad Hafeez confirmed receiving an email from the PCB's domestic department authorizing Rizwan to play from October 19, where he is expected to captain the side.

Rizwan and opener Imamul Haq, who represents Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), had previously been barred from domestic cricket following their return from England after the second Test. Dawn reports that both players had been under investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for alleged betting and gambling activities, and were among players whose mobile phones were confiscated.

Yahoo Sports states the inquiry involves allegations of online betting, gambling, and the leaking of dressing-room information.

While Dawn notes that Rizwan was previously denied permission to play in the tournament under the guise of failing a pre-season fitness test, it reports the actual reason was the NCCIA probe. Yahoo Sports adds that Rizwan has appeared before the agency twice for questioning, though the exact nature of the government body's complaints remains unclear. Dawn further notes that the PCB has not issued an official statement regarding the participation of the players.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Times, Dawn, Yahoo Sports — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.