India, Sept. 6 -- Pakistan cricket's troubled tour of England has taken another unusual turn, with the Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly taking mobile phones belonging to members of the national team into its custody ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston.

Pakistani journalist Amber Ali of 365 News reported that the players' devices had been taken into PCB custody and would remain with the board until the conclusion of the final Test. The identities of the players involved have not been disclosed, while the PCB has not publicly explained the reason behind the move.

The development has naturally raised questions over what cricket authorities are actually permitted to do with players' phones and under what circumstances they can a...