The International Cricket Council’s (ICC), Anti-corruption officials have asked Pakistan’s players not to wear smartwatches on the field as a couple of Pakistani players were seen wearing them on the first day at Lord’s. As per the ICC’s Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) Regulations, wearing smartwatches are not allowed on the field and areas designated as PMOA. An ICC release on Friday confirmed that such devices must be abandoned, along with mobile devices, upon arrival at the ground on match days.
Talking about the issue, the fiery pacer, Hasan Ali said, “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.”
In an effort to combat corruption in cricket in recent times, players and officials have been compelled to hand over their phones (and any other transmitting devices) to anti-corruption officials ahead of the start of play. They have then locked away and returned to them shortly after the match gets over.
ICC regulations state that: “Communication devices are prohibited within the PMOA, 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.”
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An ICC spokesman told ESPNcricinfo: “Apple watches in any way connected to a phone/WiFi or in any way capable of receiving comms such as messages, are not allowed. In effect, it is considered a phone unless ‘disabled’ and just a watch.”
There are several rightful reasons to continue to wear such a watch when disabled. It still tells the time, for example, fitness data can all be recorded and stored on a disabled device. Asad Shafiq, who wore the watch on Thursday, had said in a pre-series interview with the commentator Ramiz Raja that in order to track daily exertions, players use the watch. “We definitely get an idea [of fitness measures],” Shafiq said. “If you wear it the whole day you get an idea, you get the results of your workout in front of you, and you can calculate your targets for the next day.”
Peter O’Shea, the ICC’s anti-corruption officer who was present during the Lord’s Test, was surprised by photographs appearing to show the devices and approached the Pakistan team management at the end of the day’s play. The ICC has the power to seize the devices and download all material from them in order to monitor recent activity.
While there is no accusation on the players of wrongdoing, on Friday, ICC also clarified that they will warn the players against wearing such devices in order to avoid such confusion in the future. Their own regulations may well be tightened to reflect the same.
