SARFRAZ Ahmed is known for giving voice to his emotions during a cricket game, often when things are not going his way — which, unfortunately, has been the case in recent days.
The ICC must now be debating how to penalise him for the racist remarks he passed during the second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan on Tuesday.
His comments came when after an early promise of triumph, the Pakistan side was unable to break a partnership between two Proteas batsmen that eventually clinched the game for the hosts. The incident was all the more regrettable since it took place in South Africa — in Durban of all places — which has been at the forefront of the war against racism right from the apartheid days.
All along cricket was central to the discussion during the years when South Africa faced international isolation for its discriminatory policies. Even today, the country moves on the subject with the greatest of caution.
It is distressing that Sarfraz can be indiscreet — at a cost to his own stature and that of his team and country.
In this case, he may have been pulled up when, on the face of it, he was not addressing the player in question directly. Perhaps, the show of anger that is often associated with our national team skipper towards the end of a game that Pakistan is losing was also absent.
Yet, the statement was bad enough: it was clear what he said and who the derogatory term was aimed at. It was quite enough to worry the ICC which is becoming increasingly strict regarding any racist words spoken or rude gestures employed during cricket matches. It will not brook, and justifiably so, any expression that may appear to insult or offend on the basis of “race, religion, culture, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin”.
For his sake, one hopes that the ICC will show some leniency especially now that South Africa has accepted Sarfraz’s apology.
Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2019
Comments (80) Closed
You want some respect, both at home and abroad, learn to set meaningful examples. This man has let down the whole country. Whether or not ICC does right to his utterly wrong aside, he is not fit or belong to the position where he has been placed. PCB must remove remove him for its own sake. Opportunities arise to improve your national standing. This is another one. Don't waste. No one should tolerate such 'player' let alone a 'captain'.
No. ICC should not be lenient.
Racism must never be forgiven without a harsh penalty being imposed on the racist...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
Think he deserves a chance
It was not a racial slur. Just an average street comment. Ramiz and all those people who have some Pakistan and India cultural experience should know this.
Kick him out now.
This will set a wrong precedent.
Even after knowing he has tendered his apology, it's difficult to digest this fact. Justifying this by saying it's a banal expression in Pakistan is unacceptable. This is not a case of sanctimonious reactions. People's anger could have reduced a bit had his performances been outstanding. Sometimes at this level people feel privileged and ignore the fact that they are the ambassadors of the nation and can inspire or despair the nation instantly. Like those two Indians in the talk show.
Absolutely not.Sarfaraz used very low level language,he should know that he is colored person himself.He should be taught a lesson.
Definitely deserves a penalty, regardless of the reaction of Proteas. This kind of behavior cannot and should not be condoned.
ICC should not be lenient. Racism must not be taken lightly.
He should get some sort of punishment. That is the only way he will learn that he needs to control his emotions whether he is talking to his own team mates or opposition. He cannot yell at his team mates on the field. PCB should also punish him not just ICC.
No matter the match situation, it is not acceptable to racially abuse anyone.
Worse than the incident itself is the alleged apology of Sarfraz. I have not seen a worse and dishonest apology. Just reading it one understands that this guy has no class.
ICC should not be lenient. Such blatant racism shouldn't be taken lightly.
He should be held responsible and punished. He is the captain of the team and represents his country as an ambassador. He needs to be educated as well
Why all these bad news crop only from our national team? Looks like other nations go scot free which confirms conspiracy theory against our islamic republic...
@MG, You are right...its a litte complex. His intensions were not racist! We generally use adjectives to point out peoples in Pakistan but that doesn't mean we are racist or biased against any one. These were remarks put out of frustration and the guy already apologised for it.
Will Pakistani media including TV channels and some sections of print media stop using " kaali Aandhi" term for West Indies cricket team as this may be in a fun way but we are so oblivious that such behaviours can easily be seen as racist in rest of the world. Please comment on this.
@Satya Jeet, still hurting from the Champions Trophy Final slapping?
I am quite disappointed that you are begging ICC to be lenient! NO I say. Both ICC and PCB ought to set an example. Ban this mediocre player for 5 yrs if not forever. He is supposed to be the mirror that reflects his country. He is the one who should be an example for the country’s youth to follow. I am ashamed of this ‘captain’.
There are two groups actively focusing Sarfaraz and both of them racist, one indians and other one Punjabis in Pakistan. Rest of the world has accepted apology and moved on.
@bhaRAT, : If that gives you some kind of solace, you were defeated hands down twice in Asia Cup. For us Champions trophy is already down and dusted... you are in a time wrap....not us.. we had faced even worst defeats against pak.. so grow up
Forget what ICC does or doesn't do. PCB should take their own actions against sarfraz. Like BCCI did against Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. This will show how serious they are against such serious incidents like racism.
world number 1 racist virat kohli cannot be banned why sarafaraz.
@bhaRAT, saw that in Asia cup, who got slapped !
Lack of basic education often results in mockery.
@bhaRAT,
Still chest thumping about a two year old victory, even after losing multiple times since then?
Doesn't matter of SA forgave, it's not in their hands anyway
@bhaRAT, Asia cup....
Fortunately ICC is not Pakistan where forgiveness after blood money will send the person free. No leniency and law should take its own course.
The PCB should make an example of him just like Australia did after the ball tampering incident. this is not a newbie on his first tour but the team captain who made his international debut in 2007. not only should the ICC ban him but the PCB should impose punishment over and above that. that is how you impose discipline and gain respect.
Two sections virulent against Sarfaraz one indians and other punjabis in pakistan
His comments were crude and not with racist intent. But, he's the captain of a national cricket team and ignorance is not an excuse. The works no longer accepts such language and the PCB should have acted to make that point.
ICC have strict code of conduct for racial abuse, he will not be spared.
I grew up playing street cricket and being call "kala" all the time and guess what, not even once I felt it was humiliating. SJWs need to realize this is not a racial slur in Pakistan. It's just one of those street names like feeka, doda, totta etc. People need to view this incident in line with cultural norms of the society Sarfraz is from.
@Asad, Pls pls comment on the post and not people of different backgrounds.
His after thought tweets may weigh to some extent on ICC but action should be there warning hom leave the mental slush in check.
@Pakman, agree.
Apology doesn’t absolve you from the committed mistake. One has to face the consequences
Our players should never use such words as uttered by Sarfaraz as our religion strictly forbids us all
If he had scored a century it would have been behrooni sazish by bcci
There is trend in Pakistan cricket history to give leniency to wrong doers. Why not this too? Unfortunately, its in ICC’s hands now
He should be punished in such a way that there is no such occurrence in the future, knowingly or unknowingly. There should be no leniency whatsoever, making him understand what his reaction would have been had he received such remarks thrown at him from some other country's team!
Do not do unto others what you would not like them do to you!
class and racial distinction is deeply rooted in our culture and history.
Words once uttered loudly in public or in private cannot be swallowed back!
If sarfaraz wants to salvage any credibility, he should step down as captain before he is sacked. he doesn't have the moral authority of a leader any more. all these losses, and to add insult to injury, now this unprofessional behavior. time to let someone with a cooler head lead the team
West-Pakistani cricket players used the same word towards East-Pakistani players in pre-1971 Pakistan. Sarfraz Ahmed should be punished.
@Capt C M Khan, I commented on post and only punjabis in pakistan against surfaraz since he took over captaincy, its reality that is why they are in line with Indians.
This is not at all racial and sure it is not professional. just a warning is enough for now. Bottom line he is a good guy. Leave him guys..
He is representing my country , He is my favourite cricketer but I will be very angry if he gets always from punishment. Ridiculing someone on the basses of race is absolutely unacceptable.
Ideally PCB should take strong action even before ICC makes a move. That's how PCB can set a high standard for its players.
We are racists anyway and this is one of the instances when it showed so clearly. Why hide? If it was the white man who is the culprit, we take the matter to the highest authorities and run countless TV chat shows.
Sarfraz needs to be coached by misbah
Some people are not talented at all but still able to find places in the team somehow and I consider this guy one of them.
Before ICC gives its verdict, PCB should penalise him, so as to gain some respect world over .
no leniency for a racist!
I would suggest the following.1) Suspend him as a captain for a couple of matches.2)He should undergo counselling about race relations and behaviour therapy. This is a sad episode and we cannot offend our dear friends.
By making comments has Sarfaraz hurts only the South Africans. Has he not hurt all of us in the sub-continent. He should have send his apology to the people /cricket lovers in Pakistan first for embarrassing them in world cricket. We all saw how Rameez Raza got embarrassed and tried to avoid the issue.
All the players, irrespective of sport, should be given a class room training to how to behave and express in the International Platforms.
Racism is bad but if the guy has realized and apologized, he needs to be forgiven.
@Tanveer, I fully agree with you.
shame on PCB for not taking action.
It was pretty stupid for Sarfraz to have said what he did. What makes it worse that it happened in South Africa which has a troubled legacy of apartheid. As a captain, Sarfraz ought to have watched what he said. Maybe it was not intended to be racist, but as a leader you have to choose your words with care.
If ICC uses the same yardstick for any and every team or player who is found to abuse another player based on race or religion, then yes, Sarfraz should be punished. Unfortunately, the rules are not applied when it comes to Caucasian teams who regularly talk filth, and who are let off by the governing body without any punishment or reprimand.
He must not be forgiven. Will South Africa say they will not forgive??? No they will not.
If any Australian or English player had passed any racist comments then would Pakistanis have accepted apology without accepting ICC to penalize the player?
I was hoping PCB would have sent Sarfaraz back home for rest of tour right after his in-person apology. Pakistan cannot show such complacency towards such behavior in this day and age.
Send him home and ban him for life.Make an example out of him.
The only thing that he said that was derogatory was the word "Kaale", the rest is just an expression of frustration. Hopefully they don't penalize him hard
@bhaRAT, still finding solace from once in a lifetime victory?!? Be happy. I don't want to spoil your dream.
There are so much more of prerequipments required for a good Cricketer overall than just to weild the bat and the ball. Look at the Indian Capt. what a beautiful contrast. Inducion of a good player should depend on factors.
What...this ignorant racist is still our captain?! Fire him and the chief of the PCB.
Pakistan is passionate about the game of cricket, it has no place for derogatory remarks based on person colour, religion or nationality. Mr. Sarfaraz you better grow up and act like a responsible citizen
Does he deserve leniency after those parhetic remarks
I was very surprised Sarfraz played the third ODI. I think he needs to be on a extended leave of absence. It might be good for Pakistan. He seems to lack the enthusiasm and energy he had before and might be a burden at the current time for Pakistan. Give Rizwan a chance and maybe give Hafeez or Shoaib an opportunity to lead with the caveat that they will train a young captain as a backup. All I am saying is that a break might be good for Sarfraz. And please try out Shan Masood instead of Farkhur for the last two ODIs. What do we have to lose? Not sure what ICC will decide but since legal is involved I am not hopeful their decision will be good. Maybe our captain should have his elders pray for him. And please talk to Imam about his arrogant gestures after scoring a slow 100, all for himself. This puts undue pressure on skillful players like Babar Azam who is in amazing touch.
It will be good riddance to bad rubbish. Pakistan should teach it's players how to behave. Sportsmen are the ambassadors of goodwill and represent the entire nation.
Fire Sarfraz immediately. He doesn’t deserve to be captain of Pakistan team
NO No No. Racism should never be tolerated.
why are we waiting for ICC to penalize.. what PCB is doing... doesn't PCB has any code of conduct policies
@Umair, ezactly it was just an average street comment which came as a natural response to agitation in face of losing a match. shouldnt be punishable by law