The Pakistan cricket team has sparked attention after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly took the players’ mobile phones into custody ahead of the third Test match against England.
According to reports, another major development has emerged from the Pakistan camp following the PCB’s recent changes. After suddenly removing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and dropping seven senior players, the board has reportedly taken away the mobile phones of the new 16-man squad.
The board will reportedly keep the players’ phones until the final Test at Edgbaston is completed. The decision is an unusual restriction imposed on the squad during an international series and is reportedly unprecedented.
It remains unclear which players have been asked to hand over their phones, while the PCB has not explained why it took the step.
Although ICC rules prohibit players from using mobile phones in restricted areas, taking custody of their devices beyond those areas is uncommon and generally only occurs under special circumstances. However, the PCB’s reported move appears to go beyond the standard ICC protocol.
ICC rules on the use of mobile phones and communication devices
4.1.1 No person shall be allowed to use and/or carry any Mobile Device for any reason whatsoever, whether to access the Internet or otherwise, in the PMOA;
4.1.2 No person shall be allowed to use and/or carry any laptop computer (or any other similar communication device) for any reason whatsoever, whether to access the Internet or otherwise, in the PMOA; and
4.1.3 No person shall be allowed to use any static/landline (or similar) telephone capable of making calls from inside or receiving calls from outside the PMOA.
About Pakistan vs England third Test
The third Test between Pakistan and England will be held at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham from September 9–13, 2026, with Babar Azam leading Pakistan and Joe Root leading England.
