Pakistan cricket team skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has been handed a four-match suspension for his racial comment aimed at South African all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second One Day International match between Men-in-Green and the Rainbow Nations. The match was played at Durban.
The four-match suspension means Ahmed has been ruled out from the ongoing ODI series between South Africa and Pakistan. Ahmed would also not participate in the next two matches for Pakistan in the next series.
Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik would lead the visiting team in the third ODI against South Africa in the Rainbow Nation.
JUST IN: Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been handed a four-match suspension for breaching ICC’s Anti-Racism Code.
DETAILS ⏬https://t.co/7lCs3FiYpp pic.twitter.com/OWpwV6lJ4w
— ICC (@ICC) January 27, 2019
Earlier on Saturday, Sarfraz Ahmed said that he had met Phehlukwayo and apologised to him for the alleged racial comments he made.
No Sarfaraz Ahmed in Pakistan XI!
Shoaib Malik stands in as captain. Pakistan win the toss and opt to bowl in the pink ODI against South Africa.#SAvPAK LIVE ⏬https://t.co/66Iz9Ecjaq pic.twitter.com/Uc7dK8wRWL
— ICC (@ICC) January 27, 2019
“This morning I apologised to Andile Phehlukwayo and he was gracious enough to accept my apology and I hope the people of South Africa also accept my apology.”
The Pakistan skipper had earlier apologised for his comment, insisting that it was not aimed at the South African all-rounder or anyone in particular.
“I wish to extend my sincere apologies to any person who may have taken offence from my expression of frustration which was unfortunately caught by the stump mic during yesterday’s game against SA,” Sarfraz wrote on Twitter.
“My words were not directed towards anyone in particular.”
“I certainly had no intention of upsetting anyone. I did not even mean for my words to be heard, understood or communicated to the opposing team or the cricket fans. I have in the past and will continue in future to appreciate the camaraderie of my fellow cricketers from across the globe and will always respect and honour them on and off the field,” the Pakistan skipper added in another tweet.