ICC Respond to Karachi King's Mobile Phone Controversy in PSL.

A Karachi Kings official was seen using a mobile phone in the dugout during their game against Peshawar Zalmi on Friday night and the ICC has said that it is for the Pakistan Cricket Board to probe into the matter.

The PSL is an ICC-approved league, but world cricket’s governing body has made it clear that it doesn’t have to intervene in the day-to-day business of Pakistan’s Premier T20 competition.

On Friday, a Karachi Kings official was caught on camera using a mobile phone in the dugout during their fixture against Peshawar Zalmi.

While talking to IANS, an ICC official said that with PSL being a domestic tournament, it was upto the Pakistan board to look into the whole ‘mobile phone’ scandal.

“It’s a domestic match and as such an issue for the PCB.”said the official

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar was one of the many tv figures to highlight the issue.

“This is so wrong using mobile phone in dug out,” the tweet said along with the screenshot of the official who was using the mobile phone in the dugout at the National Stadium in Karachi

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Karachi Kings head coach Dean Jones clarified on his Twitter that the man in the viral image was, Tariq the CEO of the club.

“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,” Jones tweeted.

According to sources in Pakistan media outlets, Navaid Rasheed was named the side’s manager in the team sheet that is filled before the toss and given anded to the opposition team and match officials.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to provide a response related to the matter. Reportedly, PCB chairman Ehsan Mani hasn’t replied to the messages yet.

As per ICC’s rulebook, mobile phones are barred from dressing rooms and player dugouts. Moreover, the members of team staff can only utilize walkie-talkies and the mobiles are expected to be given to the anti-corruption official accompanying the team before the start of the game.

Meanwhhile, sub-article 4.2 of the ICC statest that “each team manager will be allowed to keep a Mobile Device within the PMOA, given that it can only be used either: (a) by him/her for cricket related purposes; and/or (b) by any Player or Player Support Personnel for any important personal situation.”