JUST WATCH IT
Pakistan probed for breaking ban
PAKISTAN could be punished for breaching anti-corruption rules after two of their stars wore banned Apple watches on the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s.
Joe Root’s England side were skittled for 184 as Pakistan, who closed on 50-1, took control.
But the cricket was overshadowed by batsmen Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq wearing smart watches.
All communication devices, including Apple watches, are banned from the playing area and changing-rooms in international cricket as they can be used to connect to betting websites or even to contact bookmakers.
There was no suggestion of wrongdoing yesterday. But Pakistan’s team management were approached by Peter O’Shea, the International Cricket Council’s match anti-corruption officer, at the close of play.
Bowler Hasan Ali admitted: “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.”
An ICC spokesman said: “Apple watches in any way connected to a phone or WiFi or in any way capable of receiving comms such as messages, are not allowed.” The incident is embarrassing for Pakistan, especially given Lord’s was the scene of their darkest hour – the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.
Mohammad Amir, who took the wicket of Alastair Cook yesterday, was banned from cricket for five years and spent time in jail for his part in the plot to bowl noballs to order.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Asif were also banned, with Butt also spending time in jail for masterminding the plan.
But unless corruption officials find firm evidence of any corrupt practices, Babar and Shafiq are likely to face only minimal sanctions, such as a fine.
Cook was the one shining light on another black day for England yesterday.
After his dismal winter Cook made a breezy 70 before being dismissed by former Essex team-mate Amir, who has now got him out six times in Tests
Otherwise, for all the talk of fresh starts and an order reshuffle, there was no improvement on the Ashes stuffing and the series defeat in New Zealand.
Things were meant to be different at Lord’s yesterday, especially against a young and relatively inexperienced Pakistan team.
Instead, a sell-out crowd was served up more of the same old tripe as England were bundled out for just 184, their lowest total in the first innings of a home Test in nine years.
And the glaring batting weaknesses that were exposed time and again last winter were on full show again as the toothless Three Lions lost their last five wickets for 16 runs in 27 balls.
Cook struggled to make the best of it.
He said: “We were probably 60 or 70 short on that wicket.
But with a five-day
Test match you have a chance to come back.
“It was a wicket where if you missed your length short or full you got punished, but three of us got bowled with a bit of movement so there was clearly something in there.”