Rizwan approaches ICC over mobile phone seizure by Pakistan's cyber crime agency

Rizwan approaches ICC over mobile phone seizure by Pakistan’s cyber crime agency Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s celebrated opening batsman, has written to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti‑Corruption Unit (ACU) asking for clarification after his mobile phone was seized by the country’s cyber‑crime agency. The 31‑year‑old, who captains the national side, says the confiscation came amid a wider probe into alleged betting and the leaking of dressing‑room information. In his letter, Rizwan seeks to understand the procedural safeguards that should protect players from undue interference, and whether the ICC can intervene when a national law‑enforcement body becomes involved in a matter that touches on the sport’s integrity..

The seizure took place in early August, when officials from the Federal Investigation Agency’s cyber‑crime wing entered Rizwan’s residence in Lahore and confiscated a smartphone that, according to the agency, contained data relevant to a betting investigation. The agency’s notice, served on the cricketer, alleged that the device may hold evidence of illicit activity linked to “unlawful betting and potential information leakage from the national team’s dressing‑room”. Rizwan, however, has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that his phone was a personal device used solely for private communications..

Following the seizure, Rizwan’s legal team filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, contending that the notice was excessive and that the confiscation infringed upon his right to privacy. On 12 September, the court dismissed the petition, stating that the agency acted within its statutory powers and that the matter was “sub‑judice”. The verdict left the cricketer with limited recourse within Pakistan’s judicial system, prompting him to look beyond national borders for answers..

In a letter addressed to the ICC’s ACU, Rizwan outlined his concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding the process. He asked the governing body to explain the protocols that should be followed when a player’s personal device is seized, and whether the ICC can request the return of the phone or at least a copy of any data extracted. The cricketer also inquired about the ACU’s role in liaising with law‑enforcement agencies, especially when investigations intersect with the sport’s anti‑corruption framework..

The ICC’s Anti‑Corruption Code, last updated in 2022, obliges all member boards to cooperate with investigations that may affect the integrity of the game. However, the code also emphasises the need for “fair, transparent and proportionate” measures when dealing with players. Rizwan’s appeal therefore touches on a delicate balance: the need to protect cricket from betting scandals while safeguarding individual rights..

Experts note that the ICC has, in the past, acted as a mediator when national agencies’ actions have raised concerns about due process. Cricket Pakistan’s board (PCB) has issued a brief statement, saying it is “fully cooperating with the investigation” and that “any breach of the ICC’s Anti‑Corruption Code will be dealt with appropriately”. The board did not comment on the specifics of the phone seizure, nor did it confirm whether it had been approached by the ICC or Rizwan’s representatives..

This measured response has fueled speculation that the PCB may be wary of exposing internal communications that could further incriminate senior players or staff. The broader backdrop to the incident involves a spate of betting scandals that have rocked South Asian cricket in recent years. In 2023, a separate sting operation uncovered a network of bookmakers allegedly linked to several international matches, prompting the ICC to tighten its monitoring mechanisms..

While no direct link between those investigations and Rizwan’s case has been established, the timing has led analysts to suggest that the cyber‑crime agency is casting a wider net to deter any potential leaks from the Pakistani dressing‑room. Legal scholars point out that the seizure of personal electronic devices by law‑enforcement agencies is permissible under Pakistani law, provided that a warrant is obtained and the investigation is deemed necessary for public interest. However, they also stress that the ICC’s Anti‑Corruption Unit can request that any evidence be reviewed by an independent panel to ensure it does not contravene the player’s rights under the Code..

Such a review could, in theory, lead to the return of the phone or at least the preservation of its contents for the player’s defense. Rizwan’s appeal to the ICC arrives at a time when the governing body is under pressure to demonstrate its commitment to player welfare. In March, the ICC faced criticism after a high‑profile case in England where a player’s phone was seized without prior notification, sparking a debate over privacy versus transparency..

The council subsequently introduced a “player liaison protocol” that encourages early dialogue between national authorities and the ACU. Whether this protocol will be invoked in Rizwan’s situation remains to be seen. The ICC has yet to issue a formal response to Rizwan’s letter, though a spokesperson for the ACU confirmed receipt of the correspondence and said the matter is “under review”..

The statement added that the ICC remains “committed to upholding the integrity of the game while respecting the legal processes of its member nations”. Analysts caution that the ACU’s involvement could take weeks or months, given the need to coordinate with both the PCB and Pakistani authorities. In the meantime, Rizwan has been left without his primary means of communication, a circumstance that has reportedly affected his training schedule and media engagements..

Sources close to the cricketer claim that the PCB has arranged.