Mohammad Rizwan Approaches ICC ACU After Pakistan Cyber Crime Agency Seizes Phone

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has sought formal clarification from the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) following the seizure of his mobile phone by Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). This development follows a legal setback for the cricketer in the Lahore High Court, highlighting a complex jurisdictional overlap between national law enforcement and international sporting regulations.

The NCCIA Investigation and Phone Seizure

The controversy stems from an investigation by the NCCIA into online betting, gambling within Pakistan cricket, and alleged leaks of sensitive information from the dressing room during the Test series against England. According to legal counsel Qazi Umair Ali, Rizwan was questioned in a hotel lobby after the Lord's Test in England without being served a formal notice. His mobile phone was taken into custody under the assurance it would be returned within three hours, but the device remains with the agency as of September 18, 2026 [1].

Rizwan attempted to challenge the summons and notices issued by the NCCIA in the Lahore High Court. However, the court dismissed his petition, directing the cricketer to respond to the agency's notice. Fellow batter Imam-ul-Haq has also appeared before the NCCIA as part of the same probe, though no official findings of guilt or corruption have been announced against either player.

Jurisdictional Clash: National Law vs. ICC Code

The core of Rizwan's current appeal to the ICC is whether the actions taken by a national agency in a foreign territory (England) align with the global standards of cricket governance. Through the ICC ACU portal, Rizwan has raised several critical questions regarding the Mohammad Rizwan ICC ACU interaction:

• Coordination: Whether the ICC or the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) were aware of or involved in the phone seizure.
• Procedural Legality: If the process of requesting the device, transferring it from England to Pakistan, and performing a forensic examination complied with the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
• Future Guidance: Seeking clarity on his responsibilities when cooperating with anti-corruption authorities.

Rizwan's legal team had previously argued that the ICC ACU should be the primary forum for matters involving alleged corruption violations by cricketers, rather than a national cyber-crime agency.

Context: The Stakes for Pakistan Cricket

This investigation occurs at a sensitive time for pakistan cricket, as the team manages internal stability and external scrutiny. While the request to the ICC ACU is described as a search for "clarification" and "guidance" rather than a formal complaint, it underscores the precarious position of professional athletes who are subject to both the laws of their home country and the strict codes of international sporting bodies.

Entity	Role in Case	Current Status
NCCIA	Investigating Agency	Holding device; probing betting/leaks
Lahore High Court	Judicial Review	Dismissed Rizwan's petition
ICC ACU	Regulatory Body	Approached for procedural guidance