PCB slams Sarfraz Ahmed's four-match ban as “utmost disappointment”

The incident happened during the second ODI against South Africa in Durban, where a frustrated Pakistan skipper-cum-wicketkeeper was heard taunting in-from all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second innings. The comments when translated read, "Hey black guy, where's your mother sitting today? What have you got her to say for you today?."

Though the skipper had immediately apologized through Twitter and denied that comments were meant at the all-rounder and South African skipper Faf Du Plessis later forgiving him publicly in a press-conference, the ICC had decided to take a strong stand against it by suspending him for four matches.

“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,” the ICC press release had read.

PCB had anticipated that the matter had been resolved amicably between the two players and the two Boards following Sarfraz Ahmed's public apologies which were accepted by the player, the Board and South Africa cricket team

PCB Press release

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now stated that they thought the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision for breaching the anti-racism code was "utmost disappointment". Their statement on the website read, “The PCB notes the ICC decision on Sarfraz Ahmed with its utmost disappointment.

"PCB had anticipated that the matter had been resolved amicably between the two players and the two Boards following Sarfraz Ahmed's public apologies which were accepted by the player, the Board and South Africa cricket team," it further read.

Reiterating their zero-tolerance approach to racism, PCB also stated that would like to pursue the matter to reform the code and promote "amicable resolutions to issues" as opposed to penalizing players.

Ahmed was replaced by Mohammad Rizwan with the gloves with Shoaib Malik being appointed as the captain for the remainder of the ODI series and three T20Is. Pakistan managed to win the fourth ODI yesterday making it 2-2 and would be playing series final in Cape Town.