Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has blasted country’s skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed for his racist remarks against Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second ODI in Durban on Tuesday (January 22).
Akhtar took to Twitter and shared a video in which he condemned Sarfaraz’s racial slur and urged the Pakistani captain to come forward and publically apologize for it.
"Yeh bilkul acceptable nahi hai, as a Pakistani. Mere khayal mein heat of the moment mein ho gaya hai. He should apologize publically,” Shoaib said in the little clip which translates into “This isn't acceptable behaviour as a Pakistani. I feel his remarks came in the heat of the moment. He should apologize publically.”
Coming to the story, frustration got the better of Sarfaraz as Phehlukwayo along with Rassie van der Dussen forged a match-winning partnership for the sixth wicket after Pakistan had South Africa reeling at 80/5 in chase of a modest 204-run target.
During the 37th over of South Africa’s innings, stump mic caught Sarfaraz saying: "Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj?"
The sledge can be literally translated to: "Hey black guy, where's your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today?"
Subsequently, Sarfaraz faced backlash on social media from various quarters. The Pakistan skipper is now in danger of facing sanctions from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the match officials can initiate disciplinary action, which may fall under the ambit of the governing body's anti-racism code.
According to the "ICC Anti-Racism Policy for International Cricket- 1 October 2012", The ICC and all of its Members should "not at any time offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage, vilify or unlawfully discriminate between persons based on their race, religion, culture, colour, descent, and/or national or ethnic origin (inappropriate racist conduct)."
