Former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Rizwan has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court challenging the summons issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). He questioned both the legitimacy of the investigation and the agency’s jurisdiction to summon him for questioning.

Rizwan submitted the writ petition through his lawyer, Advocate Qazi Umair Ali, following his appearance at the NCCIA’s Lahore office last week. The petition is scheduled to be heard by Chief Justice Justice Aalia Neelum today.

The summons were issued alongside those for opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq after Pakistan’s disappointing 3-0 Test series loss in England. Both players appeared before the NCCIA last Thursday, where officials questioned them and provided lengthy questionnaires. The inquiries covered details including their travel, financial records, and both personal and professional information.

While Imam-ul-Haq reportedly submitted his responses by the September 15 deadline, Rizwan has challenged the nature of the investigation and the legal basis for the agency’s summons. In his petition, he contends that no specific allegations have been made against him and disputes the NCCIA’s authority to investigate him. Rizwan has requested the court to declare the proceedings unlawful and annul them.

In a significant development, the NCCIA’s involvement followed major upheavals in Pakistan’s squad during the England tour. After the team’s loss in the second Test at Lord’s, seven players, including Rizwan and Imam, along with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, were removed from the squad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) then announced an internal disciplinary inquiry into reports concerning player conduct and discipline, though no individuals were named publicly. The connection between the PCB’s internal inquiry and the NCCIA investigation remains unclear.

Rizwan and Imam were among the seven players sent home after the Lord’s Test. Pakistan subsequently lost the third Test at Edgbaston by eight wickets, concluding the series with a 3-0 defeat.

Rizwan has also sought a suspension of the NCCIA proceedings against him until the Lahore High Court reaches a final verdict on his petition.

This legal challenge arises amid scrutiny of Rizwan’s performance during the England tour, where he scored 12, 41, 7, and 1 in four innings, though his wicketkeeping received praise. Imam-ul-Haq missed the remainder of the Lord’s Test due to a grade-one calf tear, an injury that added to the controversy surrounding the squad changes.

Furthermore, the PCB had questioned selectors about the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam for the West Indies and England tours. Notably, one selector, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, resigned following the squad alterations.