The Lahore High Court directed the Pakistan cricketer to respond to the cybercrime agency’s notices concerning an ongoing online betting and gambling inquiry.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday dismissed Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s petition challenging notices issued to him by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition, with Rizwan’s lawyer, Qazi Umair Ali, appearing before the court.

The lawyer argued that the allegations against Rizwan were false and baseless. He told the court that the cricketer had been called to a hotel lobby after the Lord’s Test and questioned without being served a formal notice.

According to the lawyer, Rizwan’s mobile phone was also taken into custody after he was assured that it would be returned within three hours.

Ali said the phone had still not been returned, arguing that the delay demonstrated bad faith on the part of the authorities.

He further maintained that corruption-related allegations involving cricketers should be handled by the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit.

However, the lawyer said no matter concerning Rizwan had been referred to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.

During the hearing, Justice Neelum expressed displeasure with Rizwan’s lawyer for failing to bring the case file to court.

The judge noted that Rizwan had been summoned by the NCCIA on September 10 and had complied with the summons.

“You were called on September 10 and you complied with it. What brings you to court now?” Justice Neelum asked.

She directed the lawyer to approach the agency, explain Rizwan’s position and submit a response to the notices.

“Go there, tell them and respond to the notice,” the judge said.

The court subsequently dismissed Rizwan’s petition.

The NCCIA notice states that an inquiry into online betting and gambling is under way.

Rizwan had challenged the notice, questioning the agency’s jurisdiction and the basis of the inquiry. He maintained that the notice did not identify any specific allegation or explain what illegal activity he was allegedly involved in.

He also told the court that he had repeatedly asked investigators to clarify the allegations during his appearance but had not received specific answers.

Rizwan subsequently submitted a written response to the agency, seeking clarification about the reasons for his summons and asking why his mobile phone had not been returned.

Rizwan and Pakistan Test opener Imam-ul-Haq appeared before the NCCIA at its Johar Town office in Lahore earlier this month.

According to sources cited by Geo News, the players were questioned for around two hours as part of an investigation into alleged information leaks from the Pakistan dressing room during the Test series against England.

Investigators also reportedly asked about their contacts and meetings during practice sessions and matches in England.

The sources said the agency was conducting forensic and technical analysis of the players’ mobile phones and examining financial dealings and suspected transactions involving the two cricketers.

Messages, contacts and other digital information retrieved from the phones were also reportedly being reviewed as part of the inquiry.

The NCCIA has not officially announced any final finding against either player.

The NCCIA inquiry comes amid major changes to Pakistan’s Test set-up following the team’s defeats against England.

Rizwan and Imam were among seven players released from the Test squad following Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed from their positions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) separately sought written explanations from members of its selection committee over the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam in Pakistan’s Test squads for the 2026 tours of the West Indies and England.

According to a PCB notice issued on August 31, the selection committee had considered and recommended both players during a meeting on June 2.

The board sought details of the selection criteria, performance considerations and other factors taken into account before the two players were included in the squads.