Pakistan cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was on Sunday suspended for four matches by the ICC for a racist remarks against South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second ODI match between the two teams in Durban on Tuesday.
Sarfaraz will miss the remaining two matches of the ongoing ODI series as well as the first two matches of the T20I series to follow. Shoaib Malik has been appointed as a stand-in captain in the third ODI that is being played today.
Sarfaraz was caught making racist comments by the stump mic in the 37th over of South Africa's run chase on Tuesday. South Africa eventually won the match by five wickets.
The International Cricket Council said Sarfaraz was suspended 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.
"Sarfaraz aimed a comment at South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo which resulted in Sarfaraz being charged with an offence under the Code," the ICC said in a statement.
"As per Article 7.3 of the Anti-Racism Code, Sarfaraz will also have to undergo an education programme to promote the understanding and awareness of issues directly relevant to the offence that he has committed. The ICC will work with the PCB to determine when and how this should take place," it said,
The ICC said that the incident was initially reported by match referee Ranjan Madugalle 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 January 26.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said the ICC has a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct of this nature.
"Sarfaraz has promptly admitted the offence, was regretful of his actions and has issued a public apology, so these factors were taken into account when determining an appropriate sanction," Richardson said.
Sarfaraz had on Friday met Andile Phehlukwayo and apologised for hurling racist slurs at the South African all-rounder.
"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," Sarfaraz wrote on his twitter page.
Sarfaraz had earlier issued a long apology on Wednesday, insisting that his comments were not directed at anyone in particular. But on Thursday he met Phehlukwayo.
His action had attracted widespread criticism with former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar asking him to apologise.
The Pakistan Cricket Board too expressed regret over the alleged racist remarks made by the national team captain.
