Skipper of Pakistan cricket team Sarfraz Ahmed, who was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from four matches on the charge of breaching the ICC's anti-racism code for his remarks against South Africa's Andile Phehlukwayo, is returning on Tuesday (today), it is learnt.
Sarfraz has been called back by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), sources said. During the IInd ODI in Durban, the Pakistani skipper aimed a comment at Phehlukwayo, which was deemed as racist and resulted in him being charged with an offence under the ICC's anti-racism code. The ICC suspended Sarfraz from the two matches of the ongoing ODI series as well as the first two matches of the T20I series to follow.
Sarfraz departed Johannesburg for Cape Town along with the national cricket team on Monday. Sarfraz has to take part in a shoot for a Pakistan Super League affiliated company in Cape Town.
"Sarfraz will leave Cape Town for Johannesburg at 1am (PST) and reach Karachi via Dubai on Tuesday evening," the sources said.
Pakistan, which is currently playing a five-match one-day series in South Africa, will play Twenty20 matches in Cape Town on February 1, Johannesburg on February 3 and at Centurion on February 6.
"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," a PCB spokesman, said, adding: "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 behavior."
"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," the spokesman added.
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