LAHORE: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and batter Imam-ul-Haq will not be eligible to play in the upcoming President’s Trophy Grade-I domestic cricket competition, sources said.
According to the sources, both players did not undergo the mandatory fitness tests with their respective departmental teams. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requires teams to conduct fitness tests for players and submit the results before they can participate in first-class cricket.
Sources said neither Rizwan nor Imam has a fitness report on record with his department. As a result, both players are currently ineligible to feature in domestic cricket under the applicable rules.
Rizwan is the vice-captain of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL). He was scheduled to lead the side in the opening round in the absence of captain Shan Masood.
SNGPL are scheduled to play their first match against State Bank of Pakistan from Friday.
Imam-ul-Haq is the captain of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), whose opening-round match against Pakistan Television (PTV) is also scheduled to begin Friday.
Rizwan, Imam Recalled From England
Both cricketers were recently recalled from Pakistan’s tour of England and are facing ongoing investigations. Their current domestic cricket eligibility is separate from the investigations and is linked to the reported absence of the required fitness-test documentation.