Twitter wants Sarfaraz Ahmed to be banned for his racial remark against Andile Phehlukwayo

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed risked his immediate future in cricket by uttering objectionable words against a South African player during the second ODI in Durban on Tuesday. The wicket-keeper was heard on the stump mic calling Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo a “black man” after the latter had a close shave from getting bowled during the chase at Kingsmead.

Phehlukwayo single-handedly won the game for his side by first taking four wickets for 22 runs and then hitting a career-best 69 not out to bail South Africa out of trouble. Eventually, the hosts overhauled a modest target of 204 with five wickets to spare.

Ahmed, who was one among one the scalps of the fast bowler, could not hide his frustration after the latter had a lucky escape and taunted him as a “black man” and sought to know what prayer his mother was doing for him.

Here’s the video:

Akhtar seeks for an apology

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar expressed his utter disappointment over Ahmed’s conduct and advised him to apologise for his words. Even Ahmed’s compatriot Rameez Raja, who was commentating when the incident happened, avoided translating the same to his fellow commentators knowing how embarrassing it would be.

Sarfaraz Ahmed could face a serious punishment of getting suspended for four Tests if his conduct is found to breach the anti-racism code of the International Cricket Council.

Under Article 2.1.1 of the ICC’s anti-racism code: “engaging in any conduct (whether through the use of language, gestures or otherwise) which is likely to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate,threaten, disparage or vilify any reasonable person in the position of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, Umpire Support Personnel or any other person (including a spectator) on the basis of their race, religion, culture, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin,” shall be considered an offence under the code.

The conduct of the Pakistani captain could be reported to the international governing body by an umpire or match referee involved in the game, the team manager of the CEO of Cricket South Africa or the ICC chief Dave Richardson himself who is a former Proteas player.

Meanwhile, Twitterati was livid with the Pakistan captain’s words and wanted him to be immediately banned for his racist remarks for Phehlukwayo.

Here’s how they reacted:

[interaction id=”5c40352ff348525bd9473563″]

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