Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has been questioned by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCA) after claiming that sponsorship deals with betting companies influenced selection decisions made by the country’s cricket board.

A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that a complaint was filed with the NCCA against Rashid for making these accusations, rather than his scrutiny of the team’s performances.

“Claiming that Mohammad Rizwan was removed as ODI captain because he opposed surrogate advertising sponsorship deals with betting companies, or indirectly accusing board officials of pursuing such deals, is a serious issue," the source said.

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

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

The ban resulted in the stopping of surrogate advertising by betting and gambling companies in Pakistan cricket, particularly in the Pakistan Super League, where several franchises had signed team logo contracts with these companies.

Rashid has repeatedly alleged that Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam were targeted because they declined to wear surrogate advertising logos.

(With PTI Inputs)