—Matter in ICC’s hands as Sarfraz apologised straightaway, says Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis
South Africa have forgiven Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed for the controversial taunt directed at Andile Phehlukwayo during the second ODI in Durban on Tuesday.
SA captain Faf du Plessis said they have left the matter in the hands of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Timeslive reported.
The ICC are looking into the matter after they received a detailed report from the officials who handled the match and an announcement on whether Ahmed will take to the field in the third match at Centurion on Friday will be made soon.
“We forgive him because he said sorry‚” said Du Plessis on Thursday.
“He has apologised and taken responsibility for it‚ it is out of our hands and ICC will have to deal with it now.
“When you come to South Africa‚ you have to be very careful when you go to racial comments.
“I am sure he didn’t mean it like that but he has taken responsibility and we will have to see what the outcome of that is going to be.
“This is not something that we take lightly as a team‚ but the fact that he apologised straightaway means there is regret from his part.”
Ahmed was caught by the stump microphone saying in Urdu about Phehlukwayo: “Abey kaale‚ teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj?”
VIDEO:
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed is at risk of a suspension after stump mics caught him over these racial comments https://t.co/BfZuHwhDOc pic.twitter.com/z4LwhSwuFR
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) January 23, 2019
The comment was later translated as: “Hey black guy‚ where’s your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today?”
The Pakistan captain has received widespread condemnation back home in Pakistan and here in South Africa after the racial remarks.
Part of his apology said: “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.
“My words were not directed towards anyone in particular.”
Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and two officials declined to comment on the matter on Thursday afternoon before training at SuperSport Park.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had also regretted Sarfraz comment and issued a statement in this regard.
“The PCB expresses regret over the remark made by their captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and picked up by the stump mic during the second ODI against South Africa in Durban. The PCB neither endorses nor supports any comments that have the potential to cause offence, and firmly reiterates their zero-tolerance approach towards racist comments made,” the board said.