Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed landed in a huge controversy after he was caught on stump mics making what seemed to be a racist comment against South African all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second One-Day International in Durban on Tuesday night.
The left-handed Phehlukwayo inside-edged a Shaheen Afridi delivery to deep fine leg for a single during the 37th over of the South African chase. Sarfraz was heard on the stump mics saying in Urdu: “Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj?” (Hey black guy, where's your mother sitting today? What (prayer) have you got her to say for you today?”
Mike Haysman asked his co-commentator Ramiz Raja, “What's he saying there Ramiz?”
“Difficult really to translate that. It’s a big long sentence,” replied the former Pakistan captain who had translated the earlier comments by Sarfraz.
Phehlukwayo had successfully reviewed an on-field lbw dismissal and survived a dropped catch in the over before the incident.
It is up to the match officials to decide whether they view Sarfraz's comments under the ICC code of conduct for player behaviour or the ICC's anti-racism code.
Phehlukwayo smashed an unbeaten 69 off 80 balls and put on a match-winning 127-run stand for the unbroken sixth wicket in the company of Rassie van der Dussen (80 not out) to guide the Proteas to a series levelling five-wicket win in the five-match series.
Phehlukwayo, who had earlier taken 4/22, was also adjudged man of the match.
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