PCB express 'utmost disappointment' over Sarfraz ban

Durban, January 27: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its "utmost disappointment" with the ICC after the governing body imposed a four-match ban on Sarfraz Ahmed.

Sarfaraz Ahmed gets 4-match suspension for racist comment

Pakistan captain Sarfraz apologised after he was heard on the stump microphone making remarks to Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo which could be deemed as racist during the second ODI on Tuesday.

Phehlukwayo accepted the wicketkeeper-batsman's apology, but the ICC sanctioned the 31-year-old for an anti-racism code breach ahead of Sunday's crushing eight-wicket ODI win for Pakistan, which set up a series decider.

The PCB will urge the ICC to make reforms following the decision to punish Sarfraz, who will play no further part in the tour.

A PCB statement said: "The PCB notes the ICC decision on Sarfraz Ahmed with its utmost disappointment. PCB had anticipated that the matter had been resolved amicably between the two players and the two boards following Sarfraz Ahmed's public apologies which were accepted by the player, the board and South Africa cricket team.

"The PCB will be pursuing this matter at the ICC forums with the objective to bring reforms to the code, promoting amicable resolutions to issues as opposed to penalties. Having said that, the PCB reiterates its zero-tolerance approach towards racist comments and behaviour.

"In consultation with Sarfraz, it has been decided that he will return to Pakistan immediately. Shoaib Malik will captain the team for the remaining ODIs and T20 internationals of the series, while Mohammad Rizwan has been included in the T20I side."