Rizwan, Imam ineligible to participate in President’s Trophy: sources

Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq will reportedly be unable to feature in the upcoming President’s Trophy Grade-I after failing to provide mandatory fitness-test reports to their respective departmental teams.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made fitness testing and the submission of reports by departmental teams a compulsory requirement for players to participate in first-class cricket.

Sources claim that neither Rizwan nor Imam underwent the required fitness tests with their departments, leaving their teams without the necessary fitness reports for the two players.

Consequently, the two Pakistan cricketers are currently not eligible to play in the tournament, which begins on September 12.

Rizwan was named vice-captain of SNGPL, with Shan Masood leading the side. With Masood unavailable for the opening round, Rizwan was expected to captain SNGPL in their first match against State Bank.

Meanwhile, Imam was appointed captain of OGDCL and was due to lead the side in their opening fixture against PTV.

The development comes amid an ongoing investigation involving the two cricketers. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is conducting forensic and technical analysis of the mobile phones belonging to Imam and Rizwan.

According to sources, the investigation is primarily examining financial matters and suspected transactions involving the two players.

Sources further claimed that their financial dealings before and after Pakistan’s ongoing Test series against England are being reviewed, including transactions made through their bank accounts during the relevant period.

If investigators identify any suspicious transaction, they will examine the source of the funds and determine where the money was transferred, sources said.