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Sarfaraz Ahmed’s use of mobile phone during India’s U-19 World Cup match against Pakistan raises questions over ICC rules: The U-19 World Cup is in the knockout stage, and the two teams in the first group, Australia U-19 and Afghanistan U-19, have advanced to the semi-finals. Only two spots remain to be filled. England are also top of the Super Six bracket; however, the ongoing match between India U-19 and Pakistan U-19 on Sunday will decide the fate of the second group.
During India’s U-19 match against Pakistan, Pakistan U-19 team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed sparked controversy for using his mobile phone near the dressing room. The ICC has a rule that strictly prohibits the use of communication devices in the dressing room to prevent match-fixing and maintain the integrity of the game.
Can mobile phones be used in the locker room?
According to the rules of the ICC Manual, “4.1 Strictly subject to the exceptions set out in Article 4.2, from the moment the first player of any participating team enters the PMOA for international playing rights until the official end of the match for that day, the following prohibitions shall apply: 4.1.1 No person shall use and/or carry any mobile device, whether to access the Internet or otherwise, for any reason within the PMOA.”
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“4.1.2 No person shall use and/or carry any laptop (or any other similar communication device) within the PMOA for any reason, whether accessing the Internet or otherwise; 4.1.3 No person shall be permitted to use any static/landline (or similar) telephone capable of making calls from within the PMOA or receiving calls from outside.”
Who can use a cell phone in the locker room?
According to that clause, 4.2 “Unless the ICC Anti-Corruption Manager agrees in advance, the only exception to the above prohibition is: 4.2.1 Each Team Manager shall be permitted to carry a mobile device within the PMOA, provided that the mobile device may only be used: (a) by him/her for cricket operations purposes; and/or (b) by any player or player support staff for any important personal matter, provided that express permission has been given by the team manager to the player or player support staff prior to such use.”
The rule further states, “4.2.2 Each team media manager shall be permitted to carry a mobile device within the PMOA, but any such device must be on silent mode at all times while the individual is within the PMOA and may not be used for any purpose within the PMOA.
“4.2.3 Each Team Security Manager shall be permitted to carry a mobile device within the PMOA, but any such device must be on silent mode at all times while the person is within the PMOA and must not be used for any purpose inside or outside the venue except in the event of a security emergency.”
What penalty did the ICC impose on Sarfaraz Ahmed for using a mobile phone?
The ICC may look into the matter and examine the fact that mobile phones were used in the dressing room during the ongoing matches. If found guilty, the Pakistan side and Sarfaraz Ahmed may face severe sanctions as former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed also did not shy away from controversies. Sarfaraz Ahmed yawned during India vs Pakistan match at ICC World Cup 2019 Sarfaraz Ahmed has been criticized for using his mobile phone so far.
Sarfaraz Ahmed may be subject to a serious ban under the Anti-Corruption Act, including failing to surrender or use equipment, and the most serious offenses may result in a lifetime ban.
