Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq cleared for domestic cricket return as Pakistan investigation nears end

New Delhi: chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is expected to complete its investigation into within the next few days.

The duo came under investigation after Pakistan’s 0-3 Test series defeat against England. The inquiry centres on allegations that confidential information and internal dressing-room matters were leaked during the team’s England tour.

Speaking to the media in Lahore on Thursday, the PCB chairman has confirmed that both Rizwan and Imam are cleared to resume playing domestic cricket despite the ongoing investigation.

“I have spoken to the NCCIA and they just need more clarity from Rizwan after which they will submit their findings in a few days’ time although I can’t give an exact deadline,” Naqvi said as quoted by PTI.

PCB set to announce new central contracts soon

Naqvi also revealed that the PCB had finalised the players’ new central contracts, with an official announcement expected shortly. The board has delayed announcing the central contracts by three months, with the previous one expiring on July 31.

“I think they are finalised or would be finalised by tomorrow,” he added.

The PCB chairman was also asked about reports of financial constraints surrounding the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Responding to the concerns, he pointed to the recent sale of new franchises and Multan Sultans, saying the amounts involved were already known to everyone.

“Whatever the owners of these new franchise know, they can’t expect to make profits after a year or two and they must have done their feasibility report before joining the PSL,” Naqvi said.

Naqvi further said that existing and new franchise owners were free to sell their teams for a profit, provided they followed the league’s rules and regulations.

He also expressed confidence in the current state of Pakistan cricket, saying he trusted his team to handle cricket-related matters. Naqvi added that he would continue to support them and expected better results once the next batch of young players was ready.

“I am there to back them all the time and we are expecting much better results when the next batch of young players are ready in the next six months,” he added.