Racism row: PCB angry with ICC over Sarfaraz ban

Islamabad: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani on Friday vented his anger after captain Sararaz Ahmed was handed a four-match ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his racist comments against South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo. The incident took place when Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was caught sledging on the stump mic during the second of the ongoing five-match ODI series between the two countries in Durban on January 22. The skipper was then handed a four-match suspension by the ICC on January 27 for breaching its Anti-Racism Code. Soon after the announcement by the council, PCB released a statement, saying it was “disappointed with ICC’s decision” “As far as we were concerned, an apology had been tendered and accepted and the only question was whether Sarfaraz deserved any punishment,” ESPN cricinfo quoted Mani as saying. Mani maintained that the punishment was unjustified. (UNI)