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The PCB's director of domestic cricket cleared Mohammad Rizwan to feature in the seventh and final round of the President's Trophy on October 18, 2026, a day before the round begins. Rizwan will now captain Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited in the closing stage of the tournament, which gets underway on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Rizwan had been excluded from the tournament since its opening rounds. The PCB had publicly cited "failure to appear in the pre-season fitness test", but the actual reason behind his absence was an ongoing investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency into online betting and gambling in Pakistan cricket.
Rizwan had been named vice-captain of SNGPL ahead of the tournament, with Shan Masood holding the captaincy. His reinstatement for the final round sees him take over the leadership role for that stage, with the clearance arriving after direct communication between Rizwan and the PCB resumed.
What is the NCCIA investigation and what steps did Rizwan take?
The NCCIA probe into online betting and gambling in Pakistan cricket is being conducted under Section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, a provision that covers obtaining an unlawful financial benefit. After returning to Pakistan following the Lord's Test in August 2026, Rizwan was summoned by the NCCIA on two separate occasions, and the agency took his mobile phone into custody as part of the investigation.
He subsequently approached the Lahore High Court, challenging the scope of the investigation and seeking the return of his mobile phone. The court dismissed his petition. It was only after that legal avenue closed and direct communication with the PCB resumed that the clearance was issued on October 18, 2026.
Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq is also under NCCIA scrutiny, with his mobile phone still held by the agency. The PCB had not issued a similar clearance for Imam-ul-Haq's participation in the final round as of October 18, 2026, leaving his status unresolved.
What does the final round mean for SNGPL and what comes next for Rizwan?
SNGPL enter the last round in a precarious position, sitting at the foot of the eight-team standings. Across six matches, they have recorded five draws and one defeat, leaving them on the brink of relegation. A strong result against Khan Research Laboratories, who are placed third in the table, will be essential to their survival in the top tier.
The fixture between SNGPL and KRL takes place at the Shoaib Akhtar Stadium in Rawalpindi, starting October 19, 2026. Rizwan's experience at the highest level of the game makes his availability a significant boost for a side that has struggled for results throughout the tournament.
Beyond the President's Trophy, Rizwan is confirmed to represent Peshawar when the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy gets underway next month, meaning his return to domestic cricket is set to continue regardless of how the final round unfolds for SNGPL.
