Controversy Hits PSL As Karachi Kings Member Spotted Talking On Mobile Phone In Dugout
Pakistan cricket and controversy go hand-in-hand as it has been proven once again. On just the second day of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), the tournament has landed in hot water thanks to a bizarre incident that took place during the game between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi on Friday.
The Karachi-based outfit started its journey in the competition with a ten-run win. Asked to bat first, Karachi Kings posted a mammoth total of 201 for 4 in the allotted 20 overs. World number one T20I batsman Babar Azam and skipper Imad Wasim starred with the bat, scoring 78 and 50 respectively.
In reply, the Peshawar-based outfit came up with a good fight but eventually fell short by 10 runs as they finished on 191 for 7. Kamran Akmal, Liam Livingstone and captain Darren Sammy delivered good performances with the bat but Karachi Kings held their nerves to start their campaign on a winning note.
The controversy:
Talking about the controversy, a bizarre or rather totally unexpected scene was witnessed in the Karachi Kings dugout while the match was on. A member of Karachi Kings was seen talking on a mobile phone during the match. The incident is bound to cause controversy and could also invite sanction for the member as well as the team.
As per the ICC’s rule, mobile phones are banned from dressing rooms and players along with members of team management are allowed to use only walkie-talkies. In an effort to combat corruption in cricket over the last few years, players and officials have been obliged to hand over their phones (and any other transmitting devices) to anti-corruption officials ahead of the start of play.
They are then locked away and returned to them shortly after stumps. But for some reason perhaps known only to that Karachi Kings member, he was permitted to use mobile phone in the dugout.
Since when are mobile phones and mobile phone conversations allowed in a team dugout during a live T20 (or any) match? pic.twitter.com/O93wtx2SwE
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) February 21, 2020
