Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was suspended for four matches by the International Cricket Council on Sunday for his racist comments against Andile Phehlukwayo during the second one-dayer on January 22.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed disappointment at the ICC's decision. The PCB said it thought the matter to have been resolved amicably after Sarfaraz apologised to Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo.
After the ICC announced its decision, the PCB issued a statement expressing surprise at the ban imposed of Sarfaraz.
"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," the statement said.
The PCB also announced that Sarfaraz would be returning home immediately from South Africa.
Sarfraz was heard on stump microphone of making racist remarks directed at Andile Phehlukwayo.
"Abey kaalay, teri ammi aaj kahan baitheen hain? Kya parhwa ke aya hai aaj tu? (Hey black (man), where is your mother sitting? What prayer did you get her to say for you today)?" Sarfaraz was heard as saying.
Shoaib Malik will captain the team for the remaining ODIs and T20 internationals while Mohammad Rizwan has been included in the T20I side.
A PCB source said that the Board was unaware that Sarfaraz would be suspended for four matches when it named him on Saturday to lead the team in the T20 series in South Africa, beginning on February 6.
Sarfaraz, who leads Pakistan in all three formats, became the first Pakistani player to be penalised by the ICC under its anti-racism code.
The source also said that the ICC had considered an eight-match ban but took into account his prompt apology and the report of the match referee Ranjan Madugalle.
Inzamam, who is in South Africa watching the one-day series with the World Cup in mind, used his friendship with Amla and Tahir to diffuse the situation.
The 'Daily Jang' newspaper reported that Inzamam had approached Amla and Tahir immediately after the incident happened and requested them to help out in containing the situation.
Inzamam and the PCB directed Sarfaraz to immediately issue a public apology. Inzamam, Amla and Tahir arranged the meeting between Sarfaraz and Phehlukwayo in which the Pakistan skipper extended his apologies and insisted it was unintentional.
(With inputs from PTI)
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