Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq have been summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) as part of a probe into alleged leaks of sensitive team information, according to reports. The development comes after both players were sent home from England following Pakistan's heavy defeat at Lord's during the ongoing Test series. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had taken custody of the players' mobile phones and handed them over to the relevant authorities for examination. The NCCIA is expected to scrutinise data retrieved from the devices as investigators examine whether information connected to the Pakistan team was improperly shared.

The exact nature of the alleged leaks and the specific material being investigated has not been publicly detailed. Rizwan and Imam were among seven players sent back to Pakistan after the team's 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord's. The PCB's decision triggered considerable discussion, particularly because both are experienced members of the national side. The board's wider action also included changes to the coaching setup as Pakistan struggled during the England tour.

The cyber crime investigation adds another layer to an already turbulent tour for Pakistan. Reports of concerns surrounding players' conduct and the handling of their mobile phones have emerged alongside speculation about possible integrity-related issues. However, the current investigation concerns alleged information leaks, and there has been no confirmed finding establishing that Rizwan or Imam committed a criminal offence or participated in match-fixing. The PCB's decision to confiscate players' phones had earlier raised questions amid reports of possible match-fixing concerns.

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Several players were sent home following the Lord's defeat, while Pakistan's team management underwent major changes. Newly appointed red-ball head coach Mike Hesson said he was not involved in the decision to release senior players including Rizwan, Imam and Salman Ali Agha because the move had already been made before he took charge. The NCCIA's involvement means the matter has moved beyond an internal cricketing investigation. The agency is Pakistan's specialised body for investigating cybercrime, and its examination of the players' phone data could determine whether any communications or digital activity breached applicable laws.

At this stage, however, details of the evidence being examined and the precise allegations against the players remain unclear. The probe comes at a particularly difficult time for Pakistan cricket, with the team already under pressure following successive Test defeats in England. The PCB has sought to address both on-field performance and concerns surrounding player discipline and conduct. As investigators examine the seized phone data, the future implications for Rizwan and Imam will depend on the findings of the inquiry and any subsequent action taken by the relevant authorities.

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