Pakistan told to stop wearing smart watches by ICC due to fears they are being used to transmit data

Pakistan will leave their smart watches off the field of play after being asked to do so by an International Cricket Council anti-corruption officer.

Photographs emerged on day one of the first NatWest Test against England at Lord’s of Asad Shafiq wearing a watch, which can transmit data if enabled.

Although it is unclear as yet whether the transmitting capability was enabled, it is anticipated the ICC will check that fact. Communication devices are forbidden on the field of play.

Two players, Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq, were pictured wearing smart watches on the field

At his close-of-play press conference after helping to bowl England out for an under-par 184, despite a battling 70 from Alastair Cook, Hasan Ali clarified that an ICC official had spoken to the tourists.

‘I didn’t know earlier that anyone was wearing one,’ said Hasan. ‘But yes, an ICC anti-corruption officer came to us and told us this is not allowed. So next time nobody will wear them.’

After Pakistan closed on 50 for one, Cook reflected on England captain Joe Root’s tight call to bat first under cloud cover – on a pitch he expects to deteriorate.

‘I think it was a hard decision,’ he said. ‘It will be easy at the end of the game to say whether it was the right one. Fundamentally that’s a dry wicket underneath – but it had green grass on it, and rained overnight. So it was a bit of a weird one.’

Pakistan will leave their smart watches off the field after being asked to do so by the ICC

Cook suspects forecast hot weather over this weekend may well mean batting last in this match is as difficult as batting first was.

‘Lord’s over the last couple of years, if it does get hot, the wicket tends to crack,’ he added. It could be one of those “first innings plays fourth innings” games.’

England weathered some of the most difficult conditions only to lose their last five wickets for just 16 runs after tea as Hasan and Mohammad Abbas shared eight between them.

Pakistan players celebrate as Alastair Cook walks off dejected after losing his wicket

‘We knew the first two hours were going to be tough, and we scrapped hard,’ said Cook.

‘But then from 150 for five, to get bowled out for 180 is frustrating. It probably did a little bit more than we expected it to.

‘Pakistan gutsed it out well there at the end. But 50 for one can be 80 for four, 120 for seven, and the game changes.’