'Anything is possible in Pakistan' - Twitter reacts after a mobile phone was spotted in Karachi Kings dugout in PSL 2020

The fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League has started just a couple of days ago but it has already grabbed a plethora of headlines for all the wrong reasons. As if the suspension of Umar Akmal on account of breaching the code of conduct in the lead-up to the tournament wasn’t enough, the franchise-based league found itself at the center of a raging controversy on Friday.

It all happened during Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi fixture on Friday afternoon when a Karachi Kings support staff was seen using a mobile phone, something that hasn’t gone down with fans. According to rules laid down by the International Cricket Council, mobiles are banned from dressing rooms and players as well as members of the support staff are only allowed to communicate from the dugout to the dressing room via walkie-talkies.

But the Karachi Kings media manager’s confession is that it was Tariq Wasi- the manager of the team- who was the one using the same. However, according to the team sheet exchanged by the captains at the toss, Navaid Rasheed was named as the manager of the side.

Dean Jones, the head coach of the Karachi Kings did clarify on Twitter when he said, “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 organizing us Practice times for today. Thanks for your concern”

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

Irish all-rounder Kevin O’Brien also took to Twitter to clarify where he said: ‘Team Manager and physio are allowed mobile phones during matches”

Team Manager and physio are allowed mobile phones during matches.

— Kevin O'Brien (@KevinOBrien113) February 21, 2020

Coming back to the match between the Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi, the Imad Wasim-led side prevailed in what was a high-scoring encounter by ten runs. Babar Azam took the charge from the front with a whirlwind 56-ball 78- an innings which included seven fours and two sixes. Azam, along with Imad Wasim, who racked up a 30-ball half-century propelled the Kings to 4-201 after 20 overs.

Kamran Akmal [43] and Liam Livingstone’s unbeaten 29-ball 54 led the way for Zalmi but in the end, it didn’t prove to be enough as they eventually fell short by 10 runs.

Here’s how fans reacted

next ball, no ball!! 😅

— Rakesh Yadav (@rakeshyadav88) February 21, 2020

psl for you😂

— THE HINDU OPINION (@HinduOpinion) February 21, 2020

Its psl everything is allowed here 😂😂😂

— Sandy nagwekar (@SandyNagwekar) February 21, 2020

He looks in some serious conversation with someone 😂😂😂😂

— Brg (@Brg96887132) February 21, 2020

New rule in #PSL you can use mobile phones in dug-outs pic.twitter.com/fGZF7LlsAi

— Lazy Ninja (@lazyganster) February 21, 2020

Its Pakistan, anything can happen

— Azpilikante (@azpilikante) February 21, 2020

Anything is possible in Pakistan 🤣

— RajatHanda. (@rajathanda1050) February 21, 2020