Pakistan Cricket Board: “PCB had anticipated that the matter had been resolved amicably between the two players”

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were less than impressed with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to ban captain Sarfraz Ahmed for four games.

Sarfraz was banned for making a racial comment towards South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second ODI in Durban.

As a result of this, he will miss the remainder of the ongoing ODI series against South Africa and the first two Twenty20 Internationals as well.

However, the PCB felt the the ICC’s punishment was too harsh and believed that the matter was resolved when Sarfraz apologised and met Phehlukwayo in person.

The board also announced that Sarfraz will return back to Pakistan and veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik will captain the team in the remaining matches against South Africa.

With Sarfraz returning home, Mohammad Rizwan will take his place behind the stumps.

“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 board said in a statement.

“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.”