PSL 2020: Karachi Kings head coach Dean Jones clarifies franchise CEO Tariq was using the phone in the dug out

Just two days into the fifth edition of the league and controversy has already struck the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In a rare turnout of events, someone in the players’ dugout was spotted using a phone. In the match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, this incident took place in the Kings’ dugout. Thus, this created a huge uproar as the laws do not permit something of this sorts.

The ICC laws state that the mobile phones are banned in player’s dressing rooms and dug-outs. Only walkie talkies are permitted for the team management to communicate. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to respond on this issue, Karachi Kings’ coach Dean Jones tried to clear the air. This incident invited a lot of criticism and former players like Shoaib Akhtar termed this to be completely wrong.

The manager or CEO is the only one allowed to have a phone

During the 13th over of the match, the cameras spotted someone using a mobile phone in the dug-out. While it was thought that one of the players or someone from the team management was using the mobile, Dean Jones has claimed that it was the CEO of the team Tariq. He further said that the CEO was doing his work and was trying to arrange a practice session for the team.

While it is yet to be confirmed if it was the CEO with the mobile, clarity is required if even the CEO or the manager is allowed to use a phone in the dug-out. In his response to the tweet from a journalist, Jones claimed that in T20 cricket, the CEO or manager is allowed to use the phones.

“Like in ALL T20 cricket. The manager/CEO is the only one allowed to have a phone. In this case Tariq.. our CEO is doing work. Here he is organising us Practice times for today. Thanks for your concern,” wrote Dean Jones in his tweet.

Like in ALL T20 cricket. The manager/CEO is the only one allowed to have a phone. In this case Tariq.. our CEO is doing work. Here he is organising us Practice times for today. Thanks for your concern. https://t.co/UORGtmMlro

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) February 22, 2020

Coming to the match, it was a high-scoring thriller. Just 10 runs made the difference between both the teams and it was Karachi Kings who finished on the positive side of the result. Babar Azam and Imad Wasim scored half-centuries in the match.