Mohammad Rizwan seeks return of phone in second letter to NCCIA

Star cricketer Mohammad Rizwan has written a second letter to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), seeking the return of his mobile phone without further delay, sources said on Tuesday.

According to the sources, Rizwan said he had not been formally informed in writing about the inquiry against him, nor had the agency contacted him for any further proceedings.

Rizwan said the NCCIA took his mobile phone on August 31 and assured him it would be returned, but he had yet to receive it.

He said he had provided the relevant authorities with his phone password and fully cooperated with the inquiry.

A digital forensic examination of the device was also conducted in his presence, he added.

Rizwan said the messages and other material stored on his phone were reviewed on September 10.

In his letter, the cricketer asked the NCCIA to formally inform him in writing of the reasons for the inquiry and return his phone without further delay.

He also said that if authorities required any additional information or cooperation, they should contact him through official channels.

Rizwan’s case is currently under investigation by the NCCIA over alleged links to online betting, gambling, financial transactions and the alleged leaking of dressing-room information. No offence has been conclusively established against him.

The NCCIA had summoned Rizwan and fellow Pakistan cricketer Imam-ul-Haq as part of an inquiry into the alleged leaking of dressing-room information during the national team’s tour of England.

The agency also questioned the two players about their contacts and meetings during practice sessions and matches in England.