Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan’s domestic cricket return is expected on Monday, with sources saying he may lead Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in a President’s Trophy Grade-I fixture at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
People familiar with the matter said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) — the national cricket authority — has cleared him to play. An SNGPL team source cautioned that confirmation would only come on Monday, and PCB officials have stayed silent when asked.
Possible captaincy for struggling SNGPL
If he is available, Rizwan is expected to captain SNGPL in the Rawalpindi match. The side is at the bottom of the President’s Trophy table and close to relegation, so a senior wicketkeeper-batter’s return would be a late boost as the first-class season nears its final stages.
The fixture is part of Pakistan’s Grade-I first-class competition, where departmental and regional teams play multi-day cricket. For fans following PCB domestic cricket schedule questions around this phase, the immediate landmark is this SNGPL–KRL contest rather than a full published calendar in public remarks.
Probe, court case and earlier ban
Rizwan has been under investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which looks into cyber and online offences. He was initially not allowed to play first-class cricket, a restriction that also applied to batter Imam-ul-Haq.
The inquiry followed his recall home among seven players after Pakistan’s heavy defeat by England at Lord’s. The NCCIA later opened a probe into alleged involvement in online betting. Rizwan challenged the process in the Lahore High Court, which dismissed his petition, told him to cooperate with the agency, and also directed the NCCIA not to harass him.
That background still hangs over his career, which is why a Mohammad Rizwan domestic cricket return — even for one departmental match — is being watched closely.
Fitness work in Peshawar
Despite the uncertainty, Rizwan has kept training in Peshawar and is described as being in strong physical shape. A source close to him said he is “in top shape,” never stopped practising, and often trained twice a day. The same source believed the PCB had allowed him to play and that he would travel to Rawalpindi for the match.
Whether he walks out as SNGPL captain will depend on Monday’s confirmation. Until then, his status sits between private clearance claims and official silence.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Mohammad Rizwan Monday ko domestic cricket mein wapas aa sakte hain. Agar confirmation ho jaye to woh Rawalpindi mein SNGPL ki captaincy kar sakte hain, KRL ke khilaf. Pehle NCCIA case ki wajah se unhen first-class cricket se rok diya gaya tha. Ab fans ko Monday ka team announcement dekhna chahiye.
