Ahmed under fire for‘black man’ comment - Pakistan captain under scrutiny for 'black man' comment

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

The International Cricket Council is investigating an incident where Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed appeared to use racist terminology to taunt South African player Andile Phehlukwayo during a One-Day International (ODI) game.

It happened while Phehlukwayo was batting during the second ODI on Tuesday.

Sarfraz, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper, was heard on a stump microphone saying in the Urdu language: “Hey, black man, where is your mother sitting today? What (prayer) have you got her to say for you today?”

The comment was apparently in reference to a couple of lucky escapes for Phehlukwayo as he made a career-best score of 69 not out to help South Africa win.

Sarfraz apologised on Twitter yesterday, writing that the comments were an “expression of frustration” and “not directed towards anyone in particular”, despite Phehlukwayo being the only black player on the field at the time.

But the Pakistan Cricket Board rebuked Sarfraz in a statement and said it had a “zero-tolerance approach towards racist comments made in whatever context.”