Wasim Akram hopes Sarfraz would learn from his mistake
Whichever team wins in Pakistan Super League (PSL), the victory would be of Pakistan's.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Former Pakistan cricket team captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram on Monday hoped that captain Sarfraz Ahmad would learn from his mistake as he has apologized for his controversial taunt.
He said that whichever team wins in Pakistan Super League (PSL), the victory would be of Pakistan’s.
It is pertinent here to mention that Pakistan captain had been suspended for four matches after accepting that he was in breach of the ICC’s Anti-Racism Code for Participants following an incident that occurred during the second ODI against South Africa in Durban.
Sarfaraz aimed a comment at South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo which resulted in Sarfaraz being charged with an offence under the Code, namely; “Engaging in any conduct (whether through the use of language, gestures or otherwise) which is likely to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify any reasonable person in the position of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, Umpire Support Personnel or any other person (including a spectator) on the basis of their race, religion, culture, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin.”
He will miss the remaining two matches of the ongoing ODI series as well as the first two matches of the T20I series to follow.
The incident was initially reported by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees after he conducted initial investigations and spoke to both players after the match. Following a further investigation, the ICC General Counsel, Iain Higgins, then determined that the player had a case to answer under the Code, and the player was issued with a charge notice on 26 January.
PCB disappointed with ICC decision
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed disappointment at the decision of International Cricket Council (ICC) of suspension of cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmad for four matches.
The PCB said that the board had thought that the matter was resolved between the two players following Sarfraz’s repeated apologies, both publicly and in person.
It further stated that the board will look to bring changes into the code following the ICC’s decision. However, PCB also added that it has zero-tolerance towards any kind of racist comments and behaviour.
Since the racist slur, Sarfraz had received plenty of criticism from the cricketing fraternity but had issued an apology both publicly and privately. “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,” Sarfraz had shared on Twitter.
