The inside story behind why former Pakistan captain, wicketkeeper and batter Mohammad Rizwan was stopped from participating in the cricket tournament has emerged.
Why was Mohammad Rizwan not allowed to play in the President’s Trophy? According to sources, the reason for Rizwan’s absence from domestic cricket was not a fitness test but an inquiry.
Sources said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had barred Rizwan from practising at the National Cricket Academy, after which the wicketkeeper-batter joined his department, SNGPL, in Islamabad.
Sources further revealed that, in the absence of Shan Masood, Rizwan had been asked by the department to lead the team. He also participated in his department’s practice session and team meeting.
According to sources, the PCB contacted the SNGPL management and conveyed that an inquiry was underway, asking them to send Rizwan back.
The department’s management informed Rizwan of the PCB’s instructions, while SNGPL management was ready to conduct his fitness test immediately.
Sources said that after reaching Lahore, Rizwan contacted the PCB regarding practice at the National Cricket Academy, but was denied permission to train there.
According to sources, no player underwent a fitness test for the President’s Trophy by their respective department after returning from the England tour. Mohammad Rizwan is currently practising in his hometown, Peshawar.
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