Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed accepted his mistake after returning to Pakistan following the ban slapped on him for his racial remarks on Andile Phehlukwayo. On Tuesday, he touched down home after being called back from the South Africa tour. While addressing the media, the Pakistan captain asserted that he has learnt a lesson from the unsavoury episode.
“It was a mistake and I have learnt from it,” Sarfraz told reporters.
Sarfaraz, who is Pakistan's permanent captain in all three formats, has been forced to return home after the ICC had imposed a four-match ban on him for making racially motivated comments about Andile Phehlukwayo during the third ODI in Durban.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was quick to express its utter disappointment about the ICC's decision to ban Sarfaraz, noting that he had apologised immediately for his remarks to the South African team and also went and met with Phehlukwayo and expressed regrets to him.
Sarfraz thanked PCB for its support but his supporters raised slogans against the ICC for the ban soon after his forced return to the country.
“I am thankful to the PCB for the way they have handled this case. I also accept the ICC decision to ban me for four matches and for me that issue is closed but I will do whatever the PCB tells me to do,” he added.
Sarfaraz had returned home from South Africa to a rousing and emotional welcome from his supporters. Around a 100 people holding banners and placards in favour of Sarfaraz and against the ICC were at the Karachi airport to greet him when he came out of the terminal building.
In Sarfraz’s absence, Malik led the team to victory in the fourth ODI to level the five-match ODI series at 2-2 with the decider to be played on Wednesday.