PCB bars Facebook, Twitter for players


                                 

 The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned players from using social networking websites while on tour after being left embarrassed by wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider's escapades on Facebook.

 Haider, who used Facebook to disclose his plans of abandoning the team after the fourth One-Day International against South Africa in the UAE following alleged threats received from bookmakers. He fled to the UK and announced his retirement shortly afterwards.

 The national board said the step has been taken for the players' safety. 

Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam confirmed the players were told not to use social network sites as part of clauses in their contracts.

''There is a clause in their contracts which states clearly they can not use these social network sites or discuss cricket issues while under contract. It is for their own good so that they do not get entangled into controversies,'' the former Test captain said.

''They're prone to danger if the wrong person gets access to their information, whereabouts and so on. Therefore, the PCB has finalised the policy and banned the usage of all social networking websites during ongoing tours and series, while also advising them to keep their activity minimum when they are not playing,'' he added.

Not only members of the national team but all other centrally contracted players with the board have been told to avoid using Facebook or Twitter.

Asked if the policy hurts the players' freedom, the manager said that Pakistan cricket has gone through a tumultuous time and as such, the step was necessary.

Alam also said the board had reports that people had even floated fake pages of some players on these sites.

PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said people who operate fake accounts of the players are liable to face charges and would be fined.

''There are many accounts that are not operated by the players,'' said Rizvi. ''Fake ones operated by other people are a hazard. These people are liable to face charges of cyber crime and fraud. So my advice to them is to be careful, otherwise they can be prosecuted.''