PCB halts Mohammad Rizwan’s President’s Trophy campaign amid ongoihg inquiry, denies NCA facilities
PCB halts Mohammad Rizwan’s President’s Trophy campaign amid ongoihg inquiry, denies NCA facilities
By Nawaz Gohar ; Senior national wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been pulled from President’s Trophy duties and barred from using the National Cricket Academy (NCA) facilities in Lahore following instructions from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding an ongoing inquiry, according to sources close to the player.
Rizwan had traveled to Islamabad to join his departmental squad for the President’s Trophy and was appointed captain in the absence of Shan Masood. He actively participated in the team’s practice sessions and strategic planning meetings in the federal capital.
However, on the same day, PCB officials contacted the department’s management and issued explicit instructions to send Rizwan back, stating that an official inquiry involving the player was underway.
While the departmental management was prepared to conduct an immediate fitness test for Rizwan to clear his participation, they ultimately complied with the PCB’s directive. Rizwan complied without objection and quietly departed Islamabad for Lahore.
Upon arriving in Lahore, Rizwan contacted senior PCB officials seeking permission to train at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). However, his request was flatly turned down by the board.
Sources noted that no other player returning from the national team’s recent tour of England was required by their respective departments to undergo a fitness test prior to participating in the President’s Trophy.
Having been denied access to the country’s central training facility in Lahore, Rizwan has relocated to his hometown of Peshawar, where he has resumed training independently.
