Pakistani cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has apologised for his racist slur targeted at black South African player Andile Phehlukwayo during the second ODI in Durban on Tuesday.
Faced with international outrage, Sarfaraz took to Twitter to issue his apology. He wrote, “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 and I certainly had no intention of upsetting anyone.
“I did not even mean for my words to be heard, understood or communicated to the opposing team or the cricket fans. I have in the past and will continue in future to appreciate the camaraderie of my fellow cricketers from across the globe and will always respect and honour them on and off the field.”
1/2 – 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 and…
— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) January 23, 2019
2/3 – I certainly had no intention of upsetting anyone. I did not even mean for my words to be heard, understood or communicated to the opposing team or the cricket fans. I have in the past and will continue in future to appreciate the camaraderie of my fellow cricketers from…
— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) January 23, 2019
3/3 – …across the globe and will always respect and honour them on and off the field.
— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) January 23, 2019
During the match, Sarfaraz was caught hurling racist abuse at Andile Phehlukwayo on on the broadcast stump mics after the latter survived several attempts by Pakistanis to have him out. he was heard saying in Urdu, “Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj? (Oh black, where is your mother sitting today? What prayer have you offered today?)”
The commentator was heard asking Ramiz Raza to translate Sarfaraz’s rant, but the former Pakistani batting great had brushed it off by saying, “Difficult really to translate. It’s a big long sentence.”
Sarfaraz Ahmed is #Quran Hafiz. His words are #Racist in #SouthAfrica about a #SouthAfrican #Cricket Player. #Disgraceful!
It is in South Africa, which has a history of #Apartheid.https://t.co/LhASy78aXA#PCB and #ICC should take appropriate action.#SayNoToRacism #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/8axyfDcm3Q
— Muadh Khan (@Muadh_Khan) January 23, 2019
du Plessis said after a training session on Thursday that his team had forgiven Sarfaraz. He said, “We forgive him because he said sorry.” He was quoted by ESPNCricinfo.com as saying, “He has apologised and taken responsibility for it. It is out of our hands and ICC will have to deal with it now.”
Meanwhile, the ICC has received a report from match referee Ranjan Madugalle and is currently considering the matter. While legal officials have been involved in the matter, it’s not clear what actions may be initiated against Sarfaraz.