*LONDON: Pakistan will give up wearing ‘smart watches’ after being told toditch them by the International Cricket Council as an anti-corruptionmeasure during the opening day’s play of the first Test against England atLord’s on Thursday.*

Although there is no suggestion of impropriety, that Pakistan’s Asad Shafiqand Babar Azam were seen wearing what appeared to be ‘smart watches’concerned the ICC.

Cricket’s global governing body has now instructed Pakistan against wearingthe watches in a bid to avoid any indication whatsoever of possiblewrongdoing.

[image: ICC Pakistan England smart watches]link>

Pakistan ended the first day of this two-match series well-placed at 50 forone after bowling England out for just 184.

“I didn’t know earlier that anyone was wearing one (a smart watch),” HasanAli, who took four for 51, told reporters following the close of play.

“But yes, an ICC anti-corruption officer came to us and told us this is notallowed. So next time nobody will wear them.”

Such devices are not expressly prohibited by the ICC but they have to bedisabled in order to comply with anti-corruption regulations.

In a bid to combat financial malpractice in cricket, players and matchofficials must hand over their mobile phones — and other devices capable ofelectronic transmission — before play to the appointed ICC anti-corruptionofficer present at every major international match.

The devices are returned after stumps.

An ICC spokesman told the ESPNcricinfo website: “Apple watches in any wayconnected to a phone/WiFi or in any way capable of receiving comms(communications) such as messages, are not allowed.

“In effect, it is considered a phone unless ‘disabled’ and just a watch.”

As well as telling the time, such watches, when disabled, are also used forthe equally legitimate purpose of recording fitness data. APP/AFP