Karachi Kings Coach Dean Jones Explains Reason Behind Official Using Mobile Phone In Dug Out
Published - 22 Feb 2020, 10:43 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 06:45 AM
Karachi Kings head coach Dean Jones has explained the reason behind one of the team’s members using a mobile phone in the dugout on Friday during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) game. Karachi Kings were taking on Peshawar Zalmi when the official’s action raised a number of eyebrows with some even raising doubts over potential match-fixing.
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.
Unsurprisingly, the incident invited criticism from all around with former India opener Aakash Chopra also expressing his shock over the same.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2020
With the incident inviting criticism from all around, Dean Jones finally decided to reveal the reason behind it. The former Australia batsman took to Twitter to explain that the official who was talking on phone was team-manager Tariq Wasi. Dean Jones explained that the team-managers and CEO are allowed to have phones as he tweeted:
“Like in ALL T20 cricket. The manager/CEO is the only one allowed to have a phone. In this case Tariq.. our CEO is doing work. Here he is organising us Practice times for today. Thanks for your concern.”
Like in ALL T20 cricket. The manager/CEO is the only one allowed to have a phone. In this case Tariq.. our CEO is doing work. Here he is organising us Practice times for today. Thanks for your concern. https://t.co/UORGtmMlro
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) February 22, 2020
Interestingly, according to the team sheet issued at the toss, Navaid Rasheed was named as the side’s manager and not Tariq Wasi. As far as the match is concerned, Karachi Kings beat Zalmi by ten runs to start their campaign in the PSL with a win.
