Pakistani captain Sarfraz Ahmad is in hot waters after he passed seemingly racist taunts at South African player Andile Phehlukwayo during the second One Day International (ODI) against South Africa.
During the match, when the South Africa’s black batsman Phehlukwayo was batting, Sarfraz said to him: ” “Abbay kaale teri Ammi kahan bethi huwi hain aaj, kya parhwa kay aaya hai aaj“, asking why he is not getting out as it seems like his mother is sitting nearby and she is prayed for him.
People on social media were not happy with the comments and slammed the Pakistani captain over the taunts.
Condemning the comments, cricket journalist Osman Samiuddin wrote: “This isn’t funny. It’s pathetic and racist.”
This isn’t funny. Its pathetic and racist. https://t.co/J3OeIW4CuR
— Osman Samiuddin (@OsmanSamiuddin) January 22, 2019
Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar criticised Sarfraz over the taunts stating: “Sarfraz must explain himself to Media & public regarding his comments to the batsman.”
Sarfraz must explain himself to Media & public regarding his comments to batsman.. pic.twitter.com/Ocx74ry4IW
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 23, 2019
Indian writer Siddharth Singh also condemned the comments as he wrote: “Rameez should have called out the racism. Sarfraz needs a match ban or three.”
Rameez should have called out the racism. Sarfraz needs a match ban or three. https://t.co/TDwSF2k5m6
— Siddharth Singh (@siddharth3) January 22, 2019
Meanwhile, Cricket historian and TV anchor Dr Nauman Niaz defended Sarfraz Ahmad stating, “what Safi did was surely innocent & not discriminatory. He should have best avoided, probably he didn’t know the connotations. It wasn’t intimidatory. It was off the cuff, so it seemed. As South West Asians, we all are colored. Our religion deplores such discrimination”.
2/2 what Safi did was surely innocent & not discriminatory. He should have best avoided, probably he didn’t know the connotations. It wasn’t intimidatory. It was off the cuff, so it seemed. As South West Asians, we all are colored. Our religion deplores such discrimination.
— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) January 22, 2019