Imam-ul-Haq Cleared for President’s Trophy Final Round with OGDCL
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has been granted permission to feature in the final round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I, sources told Geo News on Sunday.
According to the sources, Imam will represent the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the final round, which begins on Monday. OGDCL has confirmed the batter’s availability, while the Pakistan Cricket Board has informed the department that he has been cleared to play.
OGDCL are scheduled to face Ghani Glass in Lahore in the final round of the first-class tournament.
Rizwan cleared to lead SNGPL
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has also received clearance to resume domestic cricket and is set to captain Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the final round.
SNGPL director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez confirmed that Rizwan would represent the department from October 19 after receiving clearance from the PCB’s director of domestic cricket. Rizwan’s clearance to lead SNGPL had been confirmed earlier, and his return to the domestic circuit marks the end of a long absence. His side will count on his experience as they face KRL at the Shoaib Akhtar Stadium in Rawalpindi, a fixture previewed in our earlier report on his domestic return.
The return of both players to domestic cricket is a significant development as the tournament’s final round gets under way.
The road back from the England tour
The clearances come after both players were among seven released from Pakistan’s Test squad following the 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s in August.
Imam’s case drew particular attention after he sustained a low-grade strain in his left calf while fielding on the opening day of the Lord’s Test. He did not bat in either innings, which raised questions about the nature and severity of the injury. Both players then missed the opening rounds of the President’s Trophy Grade-I, prompting further questions about their fitness clearance and eligibility for domestic cricket.
Rizwan’s absence was additionally linked to an inquiry by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency into alleged online betting and gambling, an investigation that remains unconcluded. The agency took his mobile phone into its possession in England on August 31, and he was summoned twice after returning to Pakistan. He later approached the Lahore High Court over the scope of the inquiry; the court dismissed his petition.
Imam-ul-Haq cleared for the President’s Trophy
Some outlets reported on Sunday that Imam’s clearance had not yet been confirmed by the PCB. However, Geo News sources said the board has now informed OGDCL that the opener is cleared to play, and the department has confirmed his availability for the Lahore fixture.
Imam-ul-Haq’s President’s Trophy return: what it means
The final round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I begins on Monday, October 19. For Imam, the OGDCL outing against Ghani Glass is a chance to rebuild rhythm after a difficult few months. For Rizwan, the captaincy assignment with SNGPL offers a fresh start and a route back into competitive cricket.
Both players will know that performances in the coming weeks will shape the conversation around their futures in the national setup.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Imam-ul-Haq cleared to play domestic cricket?
Sources told Geo News that Imam-ul-Haq has been cleared for the President’s Trophy Grade-I final round. OGDCL confirmed his availability, and the PCB informed the department he can play. He will represent OGDCL against Ghani Glass in Lahore.
Who will Mohammad Rizwan play for in the President’s Trophy final round?
Mohammad Rizwan will captain SNGPL against KRL from October 19, after receiving clearance from the PCB’s director of domestic cricket. SNGPL director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez confirmed his availability.
Why were Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan absent from domestic cricket?
Both were among seven players released from Pakistan’s Test squad after the defeat to England at Lord’s in August. Imam had a calf strain, while Rizwan was linked to an ongoing NCCIA inquiry into alleged online betting, which remains unconcluded.
