The Pakistani Cricket team Skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed was suspended for four matches after he racially slurred a South African cricketer. The comments were picked up by the ground Microphone, and the whole issue went viral. The ICC on Sunday gave the information to the PCB and Sarfraz was not included in the team for the fourth and fifth ODI. Shoaib Malik was made the captain for the rest of the series.

Such a statement should never be tolerated...

ICC gave the information in a tweet that Sarfraz Ahmed was banned for four matches under the ICC Anti-Racial Code.

Sarfraz had made a racial comment on the South Africa cricketer Andyil Fehlukuyo. Sarfraz commented in the 37th over of the South African innings. South Africa had beaten Pakistan by five wickets in the match.

Pakistan team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed apologises

The video of the comments went viral, and after a wave of criticism, Sarfraz apologized, and Andil Fehlukuyeo publically confirmed this. At first, Sarfraz tendered an apology and said that he did not mean to hurt Andil racially. He also met Fehlukuyo personally and revealed on his Twitter page that he apologized to Fehlukuyo which was graciously accepted. He also hoped the South African public would forgive and accept his apology.

What Sarfraz said on the field?

Sarfraz had taunted Andil Fehlukyo and said in his native dialect “Hey Black, where is your mother sitting? What is the story today?” The words were picked up by the ground microphone, and soon the video became viral. Sarfraz soon realized the gravity of the situation and decided to make amends.

However, it did not assuage the outrage, and ICC decided to penalize him.

ICC said - punishment will be given to erring players found on the wrong side

According to ICC CEO Dave Richardson, such action can never be tolerated in the case for any cricketer.

Sarfraz has accepted his mistake, and the present decision was taken keeping this in mind. In a way, Dave hinted that the punishment could have been harsher had not the erring player had apologized so quickly.

PCB disappointment by ICC decision

The PCB has said that it is a disappointment by the ICC decision to suspend the skipper Sarfraz Ahmed for four matches for his racist remarks. It added that it was a matter which could have been amicably settled between the two boards. However, it will respect the ICC ban, and Sarfraz will be recalled, and Shoaib Malik will captain the remaining matches.
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