ENG vs Pak, 2018: ICC Bars Pakistan Players From Wearing Smartwatches During Play

Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali, on Thursday (May 24), confirmed that the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption officers have told the Pakistani players not to wear their smartwatches while playing on the field.

On the first day of the ongoing Lord’s Test against England, Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq were pictured wearing banned Apple watches.

Interestingly, the governing body does not allow these smartwatches to be worn during play because it is possible to directly access the internet and therefore potential to be a threat owing to the online betting sites. But as of now, there is absolutely no report of any malicious act.

The ICC has made it clear that any communication device is not allowed in the field of play.

“Communication devices are prohibited within the PMOA [player and match official area], barring specific exceptions. Without exception, no player shall be in possession of, or use a communication device (such as a mobile phone or a device which is connected to the internet), while in the PMOA,” regulation of ICC maintained.

Players and officials must give their phones to anti-corruption officials at the start of each day to be locked away. They are then returned at the end of a play.

“The ACSU officer came to speak to us and told us it’s not allowed to wear them. So we won’t be wearing them,” Hasan Ali said after the day’s play.

Pakistan will be looking to avoid any similar mistake in the coming days. Their reputation has taken a beating in recent times in England. I

“The ICC do have the power to confiscate these devices and analyse what activity, if any, there has been,” it added..

n 2006, the Oval Test had to be abandoned over ball-tampering allegations.

Then in 2010 three players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir were involved in spot-fixing.

Pakistan on top:

Coming to the game, the visitors finished the day in a dominating manner.  Joe Root’s decision to bat first turned out to be a poor one as the hosts were all out for just 184.

Only Alastair Cook managed to make a significant contribution by scoring 70.  Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali starred with the ball while sharing four wickets each.

In reply, Pakistan finished the day on 50 for one. Azhar Ali was batting on 18 while Haris Sohail was on 21.