‘For Pakistan’s Sake, Give Us Your Phone’: Rizwan’s mobile taken in England

LONDON: Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan was asked to hand over his mobile phone at around 1:30 a.m. while in England, with sources saying he was questioned about online betting companies and gambling.

According to the sources, Rizwan was called from his hotel room to the lobby, where a Pakistan Cricket Board official and an unidentified man were present. He was questioned about online betting platforms and asked to hand over his phone.

The sources said Rizwan initially refused several times and asked why his phone was being taken and what allegations he faced. After repeated requests, he was told, “For Pakistan’s sake, give us your phone,” following which he agreed to hand it over.

Rizwan was reportedly assured that the phone would be returned within a few hours. However, as he was scheduled to fly back to Pakistan the following day, he objected to returning without his phone and repeatedly asked the team manager about it, but did not receive a satisfactory response, the sources said.

Rizwan later learned that his phone had been taken to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) office in Lahore and had still not been returned.

Sources close to Rizwan said the cricketer had no objection to an investigation but had concerns about the procedure followed in taking his phone.

They questioned whether a written report, explanation or receipt was issued when the phone was taken, and asked what authority was used to seize it if the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption code was not invoked.

The sources also questioned why the phone was transferred out of the United Kingdom and retained for weeks despite the assurance that it would be returned within hours.

They asked whether the Metropolitan Police or the UK’s National Crime Agency had been informed when the phone was taken in London, and whether any warrant, court application or legal authorization had been obtained from British authorities.

If the matter involved alleged corruption in an international match, the sources also questioned when the ICC was informed.

The ICC has not issued a statement on the matter so far, according to the sources.

Rizwan also wants clarification about questions concerning visits to a mosque, including which specific day, practice session or meeting he allegedly missed that could constitute a disciplinary or security violation, the sources said.

They further questioned whether the same rules were being applied to two former players in relation to betting platforms.

The sources said Rizwan was awaiting written responses to his questions from the PCB, England and Wales Cricket Board, ICC or British authorities.