LONDON – *The anti-corruption unit of the International Cricket Council(ICC) warned two Pakistan players not to wear smart watches which can helpin communication through WhatsApp during the Lord’s Test on Thursday.*

These watches are strictly prohibited by the ICC’s playing regulations andneeded to be disabled so that they are not helpful in communication.

The Cricinfo website quoted an ICC spokesman saying, “Apple watches in anyway connected to a phone/WiFi or in any way capable of receivingcommunications such as messages, are not allowed. In effect, it isconsidered a phone unless ‘disabled’ and just a watch.”

The said players, sources said, were Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam.

After Pakistan players were warned by the ICC, Hasan Ali said: “We didn’tknow about it. Now we are told so we will not wear them.”