Pakistan's Imam and Rizwan face inquiry over financial transactions and dressing room leaks

Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency is conducting forensic analysis of the mobile phones belonging to cricketers Imam ul Haq and Mohammad Rizwan, with sources telling Geo News the probe centres primarily on suspected financial transactions involving the pair.

The agency is examining the players' financial dealings both before and after the ongoing Test series against England, with their bank accounts under close scrutiny as part of the wider investigation into their conduct.

Investigators are reviewing transactions made through the accounts during that period, and sources said any suspicious activity identified would prompt a deeper look into where funds originated and where they were subsequently transferred.

Payments allegedly made to either player by any company, individual or organisation are also being examined, alongside data recovered from their phones, including messages and contact records, which are being cross referenced against the financial inquiry.

A second strand of the investigation focuses on allegations that dressing room information was leaked during Pakistan's ongoing tour of England. Imam and Rizwan were questioned specifically about contacts and meetings held during both training sessions and matches while in the country.

Both players appeared before the agency at its Johar Town office in Lahore on Thursday, September 10, spending roughly two hours being questioned before requesting additional time to submit their formal written responses.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has not confirmed any specific allegations against either cricketer, and the inquiry remains ongoing without any findings made public so far.

The scrutiny follows a turbulent stretch for Pakistan's Test side, with Imam and Rizwan among seven players sent home after a 194 run defeat to England at Lord's, a decision that also saw two coaches removed from their roles around the same time.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier suggested factors beyond cricketing performance played a role in those squad changes. "We have had a discussion to ascertain the reasons behind it. They include factors beyond performance and we will get to the bottom of it," he said at the time.

The board separately sought a written explanation from a member of its selection committee regarding the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam in Pakistan's Test squads for this year's tours of the West Indies and England, according to a notice issued on August 31. Misbah ul Haq had already resigned from his own role as selector following the earlier squad upheaval.

Imam's struggles were compounded by reports questioning the legitimacy of a calf injury that ruled him out of batting in the second Test, with chief selector Aaqib Javed among those publicly casting doubt on the extent of the issue and suggesting it too could face further scrutiny.

Despite the ongoing investigation, both players have continued their domestic careers. Imam was named captain of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited for the 2026 President's Trophy, while Rizwan has returned to first class cricket as vice captain of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited.