NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s former Test captain Rashid Latif has been questioned by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCA) after he alleged that sponsorship deals involving betting companies influenced certain selection decisions made by the country’s cricket board.

A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said a complaint was filed against Rashid because of these allegations, not due to his criticism of the team’s performances.

"Saying that Muhammad Rizwan was removed as ODI captain because he was against surrogate advertising sponsorship deals with betting companies or accusing the board officials indirectly of wanting such deals is a serious matter," the source said.

NCCA Confirms Complaint Filed Through PCB Legal Official

The NCCA confirmed that the complaint was lodged by Syed Ali Rizvi, a member of the PCB's legal department.

In December 2023, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned all surrogate advertising of betting and gambling companies across electronic media in the country.

Later, the Federal Minister for Information Attauullah Tarar reaffirmed the government’s zero tolerance stance towards such advertising.

The PEMRA ban brought an end to the widespread presence of surrogate betting promotions in Pakistan cricket, particularly the Pakistan Super League, where several franchises had previously signed logo deals with such companies.

Rashid has repeatedly claimed that Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam were targeted because they refused to wear shirts carrying surrogate advertising logos.

(With PTI Inputs)