Sarfraz Ahmed, South Africa vs Pakistan 2019
Sarfraz Ahmed is reported to be suspended for four games for his raciest remarks against Andile Phehlukwayo. Image Courtesy: Getty

The Pakistan National Cricket Team captain, Sarfraz Ahmed is suspended for four matches for making racist remarks against Proteas all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo in the second ODI. Meanwhile, veteran batsman, Shoaib Malik will lead the team in the fourth game of the series, scheduled for Sunday at the Wanderers, Johannesburg. The ICC confirmed the news during the fourth game of the series.

Sarfraz’s racist comments put him in hot waters

The racist remarks saw Sarfraz facing a lot of heat from the cricketing world; even from his countrymen too. Though he tendered his apology to the South African, the action against him was always on the cards. The captain, meanwhile, has been left out of the playing XI for the Pink-Ball ODI, which South Africa is yet to lose since its inception. Also, Mohammad Rizwan has been added to the team sheet too.

Going back, during the second match in Durban, Sarfraz uttered some disrespectful words towards Andile Phehlukwayo. He said,

“Abbay kaale teri Ammi kahan bethi hoyi hain aaj, kya parhwa kay aaya hai aaj.”

However, when translated in English, it meant – 

Hey black guy, where’s your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today?’

South Africa leads the five-match series 2-1

The hosts, after losing the first match came back in style, winning the following two games. Though Pakistan hasn’t performed too badly in the ODI series so far, the Proteas have been marginally better; resulting in leading the series 2-1.

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However, for the fourth ODI, Pakistan has won the toss and decided to bowl first. As mentioned above, Sarfraz is left out of the playing XI and is serving a four-match suspension. Shoaib Malik at the toss said,

“We wanted him [Sarfraz], but the incident… we all know what has happened. I don’t want to comment about it. But they’ve given me this opportunity, and I want to do my best.”

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