Cricket
ICC anti-corruption officials have told Pakistan players not wear such watches.
Updated : May 25, 2018, 02:53 PM IST
Pakistan players will not be allowed to wear Apple smart watches on the field after some players were seen with them on the first day of first test match against England at Lord's.
According to reports, anti-corruption officials have told Pakistan players not to wear such watches.
While wearing a smartwatch is not strictly prohibited in ICC’s regulations, but they have to be disabled to comply with the anti-corruption measures so it can not be used as a transmitting device.
An ICC release on Friday confirmed that such devices must be surrendered, along with mobile devices, upon arrival at the ground on match days.
"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, according to ESPNCricinfo.
In an effort to combat corruption in cricket over the last few years, players and officials have to hand over their phones (and any other transmitting devices) to anti-corruption officials ahead of the start of play. They only get them back after the game end's.
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."
"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," ESPNcricinfo quoted an ICC spokesman as saying.
Asad Shafiq had said earlier that players use the watch to keep track of their daily exertions.