The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly taken the mobile phones of players into its custody ahead of the third and final Test against England. According to reports, the devices will remain with board officials until the final match ends, although the PCB has not given an official reason for the move.
Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, are trailing 2-0 in the three-match series after heavy defeats to England at Headingley and Lord’s. Following the losses, the PCB has made major changes, including overhauling the coaching staff and sending seven members of the original touring squad back to Pakistan.
PCB Takes Custody Of Players’ Phones Ahead Of Edgbaston Test
According to a report by Pakistani journalist Amber Ali of 365 News, the Pakistan team management has taken the mobile phones of some players into its custody after the squad arrived in Birmingham. The report did not reveal which players were involved or whether the move applies to the entire squad.
Notably, the devices are set to remain with PCB officials until the end of the third Test at Edgbaston. However, the board has not publicly explained the reason for the move, leaving questions about why the players’ personal phones are being retained for several days.
What Do ICC Rules Say About Players’ Mobile Phones?
Mobile phones are already subject to strict restrictions in international cricket. Under the ICC’s Player and Match Officials Area regulations, players and support staff cannot possess or use mobile phones or other communication devices inside restricted areas, including dressing rooms, during matches.
They must keep their devices in secure storage before entering these areas. However, these match-day rules are different from retaining a player’s phone for several days.
Under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, authorized anti-corruption officials can require a participant to surrender a device or allow investigators to copy information from it if there are reasonable grounds to believe it could be relevant to an investigation.
Such information can include phone and internet records, messages, WhatsApp conversations, photos, videos, audio files and other stored documents. Participants can also be asked to provide passwords or access codes.
However, there is no confirmation that the PCB’s reported action is linked to any corruption, betting or match-fixing investigation, and no Pakistan player has been publicly accused of an integrity offence.
Pakistan Face More Turmoil Ahead Of Series Finale
The visitors are 2-0 down in the three-match series after heavy defeats in the first two Tests, prompting the PCB to make major changes ahead of the Edgbaston finale.
Seven players — Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad — were released from the squad. The coaching staff was also reshuffled, with Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul replaced by interim red-ball coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke.
PAK subsequently added seven replacements, including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Muhammad Randhawa, Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Jr. The third Test begins at Edgbaston on September 9, with Pakistan looking to avoid a 3-0 series defeat.
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