LAHORE: Pakistan Test opener Imam-ul-Haq is likely to face a ban after authorities prepared an initial report against him, sources told Geo News on Sunday.
The report concerns allegations of a suspicious injury during the England Test series, dressing room leaks and disciplinary violations.
Sources said Imam faces charges of faking injuries, leaking dressing room information and breaching team discipline.
The authorities have also reopened his previous file.
According to sources, the board had earlier suspected an injury Imam sustained during Pakistan’s New Zealand tour.
Previous Ban Recommendation Reopened
A previous inquiry reportedly recommended a two-year ban against the opener.
However, a former head coach, former selector and former captain intervened in the matter.
They met officials and recommended that authorities impose no ban on Imam.
The latest development has now brought the previous case back into focus.
NCCIA Probes Imam and Rizwan
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is conducting forensic and technical analysis of mobile phones belonging to Imam and fellow dropped player Mohammad Rizwan, according to sources.
The investigation mainly focuses on financial matters and suspected transactions involving both players.
Sources said investigators were examining the players’ financial dealings before and after the England Test series.
Their bank accounts are also under scrutiny.
If investigators identify suspicious transactions, they will trace the source of the funds and the destination of the transfers.
Authorities are also scrutinising suspected payments from companies, individuals or organisations.
Messages, contacts and other digital information from the players’ phones are undergoing forensic analysis.
Investigators are linking the recovered data to the inquiry into their financial transactions.
PCB Makes Major Changes After England Defeats
The developments follow Pakistan’s poor performance in the England Test series.
Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test. England then secured a 194-run victory at Lord’s in the second Test.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took emergency measures after the Lord’s defeat.
The board released seven players from the squad. They included Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Owais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
The PCB also released head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
PCB Questions Selection of Imam and Rizwan
Earlier, the PCB sought a written explanation from a selection committee member over the inclusion of Imam and Rizwan in Pakistan’s Test squads for the West Indies and England tours.
The board issued a formal notice on August 31.
The notice referred to a selection meeting held on June 2.
Rizwan Reportedly Travels to Islamabad
Rizwan, 34, has represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 103 ODIs and 106 T20Is.
According to the report, he contacted the PCB before appearing before the NCCIA.
He then travelled from London to Islamabad after the board dropped him from the Test squad.
