PCB disappointed with ICC decision on Sarfaraz Ahmed

[Abdullah719]

Lahore, 27 January 2019:

The PCB has issued the following statement after the International Cricket Council today suspended Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for four matches.

“The PCB notes the ICC decision on Sarfaraz Ahmed with its utmost disappointment. PCB had anticipated that the matter had been resolved amicably between the two players and the two Boards following Sarafraz Ahmed’s public apologies which were accepted by the player, the Board and South Africa cricket team.

“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.

“In consultation with Sarfaraz, it has been decided that he will return to Pakistan immediately. Shoaib Malik will captain the team for the remaining ODIs and T20 internationals of the series, while Mohammad Rizwan has been included in the T20I side.”

 

[ILcricket]

poor by PCB . I expected they would independently act on the matter .

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

What??

How unprofessional can u get?

PCB is doing everything to tarnish their reputation, of whatever is left.

 

[MRSN]

Told you guys. PCB will appeal this. Pathetic stuff. Need to sack Mani.

 

[Pete Rose]

Of course, they will wake up now to protest and get turned down. Vs taking the bull by the horns when things happened.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Oh dear.

Disappointment?

The utmost disappointment is that PCB is still seriously thinking about pursuing this matter and trying to avoid penalties.

What a farce.

 

[Majid Khan]

Please tell me this is a wind up and that’s a fake press release - no even PCB can’t
be that ridiculous.

And to put in the line that we still have zero tolerance policy, heh.

 

[aukhan]

What a loser appointed by Imran khan. Fake tabdeeli never fails to dissapoint. Najam Sethi was miles better as a head.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Fools should have just kept quite

 

[Mamoon]

I am so .... surprised.

 

[IAJ]

Rubbish board. Should have banned him itself in first place. Instead they are feeling disappointed.

 

[Chokli]

What a loser appointed by Imran khan. Fake tabdeeli never fails to dissapoint. Najam Sethi was miles better as a head.

yup, look at what he did with sharjeel

acted right away

 

[Hawkeye]

Disappointed by IK.

Even as his fan you cannot defend actions like these. Why did he appoint Ehsan Mani in the first place?! What a farce.

He's bowed down to extremists and now his right hand thinks racism isn't an issue, they're "disappointed" at punishment for racist remarks.

Unbelievably bad.

This is as bad as Ijaz Butt era, probably worse.

 

[Hasan123]

PCB should keep their mouths shut. We don't need any more humiliation.

 

[MRSN]

ICC should enroll PCB as well on their educational programme against racism.

 

[Chokli]

Lahore, 27 January 2019:
the PCB reiterates its zero-tolerance approach towards racist comments and behavior.

Media Department

that is one helluva paradox

 

[Dr_Bassim]

ICC should enroll PCB as well on their educational programme against racism.

)

You said it as a joke, but its gold and right.

 

[Hawkeye]

What a loser appointed by Imran khan. Fake tabdeeli never fails to dissapoint. Najam Sethi was miles better as a head.

yup, look at what he did with sharjeel

acted right away

As much as I didn't like Sethi on some matters, now I feel he was very proactive and justified on taking actions against fixers.

He would have been proactive against this racism as well.

 

[IMMY69]

Dear oh dear...

Doesn’t surprise me at all.

 

[Hawkeye]

ICC should enroll PCB as well on their educational programme against racism.

THIS THIS THIS.

Or, Mani/IK for starters.

 

[MRSN]

Disappointed by IK.

Even as his fan you cannot defend actions like these. Why did he appoint Ehsan Mani in the first place?! What a farce.

He's bowed down to extremists and now his right hand thinks racism isn't an issue, they're "disappointed" at punishment for racist remarks.

Unbelievably bad.

This is as bad as Ijaz Butt era, probably worse.

Agreed. Mani reminds me of Ijazz butt. This guy doesn't deserve to be on this post. They are defending Sarfraz like their life depends on it. It's just prove PCB don't take racism that seriously.

 

[Hawkeye]

Agreed. Mani reminds me of Ijazz butt. This guy doesn't deserve to be on this post. They are defending Sarfraz like their life depends on it. It's just prove PCB don't take racism that seriously.

And this Mani was ICC chairman.

HOW ON EARTH!?

Now he's disappointed at ICC taking action against racism!

 

[aukhan]

As much as I didn't like Sethi on some matters, now I feel he was very proactive and justified on taking actions against fixers.

He would have been proactive against this racism as well.

Yes his handling of psl fixing scandal was brilliant. People as usual due to political differences bashed him for his immediate banning of players and called it an indian conspiracy. If it was Mani im sure ICC had to intervene in that matter as well. So dissapointed with Mani.

 

[aukhan]

And this Mani was ICC chairman.

HOW ON EARTH!?

Now he's disappointed at ICC taking action against racism!

He was ICC president and just like Zaheer abbas he was just a ICC mascot.

 

[xricket]

Oh well, what a let down by PCB. They dont have any sense of what it is required at this level. Other teams wont be happy how we treat foreign players

 

[Savak]

PCB is right to stand by Sarfaraz who had apologized profusely for the episode. The PCB rightfully is showing the world that it won't throw it's own player under the bus

 

[Saj]

PCB are naive if they think posting a picture of a handshake was enough to get away without any sanction from ICC.

 

[cricketjoshila]

What is this?

PCB wants new rules now,where boards will tell ICC whether to press charges or not. I hope that never happens. Never.

 

[xricket]

PCB making sure foreign players don't come to Pakistan, or play PSL. Players mind these incidents a lot and often see how they play out. And often these are in back of the mind, when they make decision especially considering our law and order situation. South Africa's captian Faf was the one, who visited Pakistan despite security situation. I wonder what happened now?

 

[Dr_Bassim]

PCB is right to stand by Sarfaraz who had apologized profusely for the episode. The PCB rightfully is showing the world that it won't throw it's own player under the bus

By protesting against the punishment?

That's like the mother who knows her son has committed a felony but when the verdict is handed out protests that her son didn't mean to do it.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Oh Mani...straight from CEO's playbook of what not to do crisis.

What's more, I expect him to do even worse on their regular job - PSL, Domestic cricket, various committees, ICC/other board relations.

An absolute disgrace as head of PCB.

 

[cricketjoshila]

PCB are naive if they think posting a picture of a handshake was enough to get away without any sanction from ICC.

It was OK to think and pray that nothing happens. But to react like this? PCB may not care about the PR. ICC and its other members do.

 

[Majid Khan]

The PCB is intent on using every opportunity to show its unprofessionalism and if anything they could have been pro active on this issue and shown they took the offence seriously, by announcing immediate suspension and recalling Sarfraz from SA.

But , coming on to the ICC .. why did it take this long to announce the suspension?? There was nothing to investigate here, what happened was recorded live and translated into English by the media in minutes, ICC should have announced suspension with immediate effect after that match and indefinitely until punishment finalised even — but no you get Sarfraz playing his next match, then being publicly forgiven by SA captain and having a photo of handshake with the victim with the match referee present if I’m not mistaken — all move on, and then ICC wake up and announce a suspension.

Not against the action of suspending Sarfraz (if anything this is lenient, he should be stripped of captaincy) but PCB is useless and out for a duck here and ICC playing a mistimed late cut edged to wicket keeper.

 

[Starky]

If the ICC thinks what he commented was racism then they are right in penalising him.The rules were already set its not as if they were made just after this episode. Though he apologised which he should have in the first place but nowhere does the rules say that you cant be penalised after apologising..

 

[AFM]

Good luck trying to convince SA to tour us now.

Idiots.

Even in this statement state they have zero tolerance towards racism. Who is making these contradictory statements? Very disappointing.

Good that Sarfraz has left the country. Hope Pak demolish SA in the remaining games and Rizwan performs well. Make the PCB realise Sarfraz is droppable.

 

[xricket]

Good luck trying to convince SA to tour us now.

Idiots.

Even in this statement state they have zero tolerance towards racism. Who is making these contradictory statements? Very disappointing.

Good that Sarfraz has left the country. Hope Pak demolish SA in the remaining games and Rizwan performs well. Make the PCB realise Sarfraz is droppable.

Amen to that. Yes, that's how it will and can affect us. Faf Du Plessi participated in revival of cricket in pakistan. I wonder how he will entertain this thought when we ask them to visit us, considering we take this issue lightly and talk in foreign language so that it's not perceived by others as racism. Certainly not reeks of sincerity on account of us and our team. And the board is just representing nation. Imagine how that plays in the mind of these foreigners

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This suspension is effectively only until the end of this tour. Not sure what PCB are so disappointed about. Instead of accepting this and quietly burying this issue, they are opening a Pandora's box of unnecessary trouble.

 

[Sirris]

They should have just kept quiet and taken it silently. I think a 4 match suspension was a bit too much but then you had people here pushing for a life ban. Anyway once you accept you made a mistake you should also own up to the consequences.

 

[Pete Rose]

What is this?

PCB wants new rules now,where boards will tell ICC whether to press charges or not. I hope that never happens. Never.

I would not be surprised if someone in the board, say like Mohsin Khan, doesn’t accuse ICC of double standards because they did punish panda or rahul. Never mind that (a) what they said is not covered by code of conduct, (b) said it not in the game and (c) India acted quickly to clean up house

 

[xricket]

Now we aren't just a country with bad law and order situation, we are the country who now takes racism lightly at this level. This is not a small thing. The righteousness is getting to our heads. May be next time someone will be passing comments based upon religion. Poor decisions all around from PCB

 

[Sirris]

Something I find so bizarre is that sarfraz is ready to go back to Pakistan so what's PCB going to gain by filling a complaint. Let's say ICC reduces the suspension from 4 to 2 matches, even then sarfraz won't be around to play.

 

[Sher Khan]

The issue here is that PCB themselves don’t understand the seriousness of this issue. Racism is absolutely unacceptable wherever you go in the world. This four match ban is actually lenient.

 

[MRSN]

The PCB is intent on using every opportunity to show its unprofessionalism and if anything they could have been pro active on this issue and shown they took the offence seriously, by announcing immediate suspension and recalling Sarfraz from SA.

But , coming on to the ICC .. why did it take this long to announce the suspension?? There was nothing to investigate here, what happened was recorded live and translated into English by the media in minutes, ICC should have announced suspension with immediate effect after that match and indefinitely until punishment finalised even — but no you get Sarfraz playing his next match, then being publicly forgiven by SA captain and having a photo of handshake with the victim with the match referee present if I’m not mistaken — all move on, and then ICC wake up and announce a suspension.

Not against the action of suspending Sarfraz (if anything this is lenient, he should be stripped of captaincy) but PCB is useless and out for a duck here and ICC playing a mistimed late cut edged to wicket keeper.

I heard Friday and Saturday are off in ICC HQ hence it took that long.

 

[Square Drive]

So Sarfraz won't be there for the 3rd T20I either.

What's going on here? Saifi gone for good?

Maybe [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] was right after all, although instead of Hafeez, it might be Malik leading us in the WC.

 

[Markhor]

PCB's reaction reminds me of some desis who cry about being the victim of racism and ignore the casual racism in their own community.

There's nothing to contest, Sarfraz got what he deserved.

Why spurn goodwill with a team you're trying to convince to tour Pakistan and visit during the PSL ?

 

[Mamoon]

Dear oh dear...

Doesn’t surprise me at all.

Are you sure? Our great "professional and honest" Chairman He was handpicked by the Patron who can do no wrong.

 

[Fahdi]

Why though?

 

[Majid Khan]

I heard Friday and Saturday are off in ICC HQ hence it took that long.

Offence was committed on Tuesday 22nd Jan in second ODI and Sarfraz played in next ODI on Friday 25th Jan. That was enough working hours there for ICC to have taken a prompt action before the 3rd game, and they could have done that without anyone at ICC HQ having to work past 5pm or skipping their lunch break to finish off the admin work that came with suspending Sarfraz.

Unless we imagine the ICC boardroom had high level briefings, discussions with anti racism authorities, intensive background checks on the players from their schools, conference calls with board officials from PCB and SA CB, working till late deliberating this matter and to get the final report completed overnight with someone working overtime and into the weekend, just in time to announce the suspension before the Sunday match .. somehow I don’t think so

 

[IMMY69]

Are you sure? Our great "professional and honest" Chairman He was handpicked by the Patron who can do no wrong.

Yes I am sure.
I said it before that Mani was the wrong choice.

Only good thing he’s done is bring in Wasim Jaffer and time will tell how can change the body..

 

[Mamoon]

Something I find so bizarre is that sarfraz is ready to go back to Pakistan so what's PCB going to gain by filling a complaint. Let's say ICC reduces the suspension from 4 to 2 matches, even then sarfraz won't be around to play.

The decision to send Sarfraz home is a tantrum on PCB's part. Their issue is not with the length of the ban. The do not understand why Sarfraz's weak apology (which he probably hasn't even read and I don't think he can) on Twitter, and a photo of him shaking hands with Phehlukwayo were not enough to close this case.

 

[Nov15]

Such an exhibition of shamelessness wouldn't have happened under Najam Sethi. Sure he wanted to be a Mard-e-Mujahid against India & ended up costing PCB millions of dollars, but he was image-conscious and good at crisis management.

Wonder how the Women's Windies team, who'll be touring Pakistan, feel about PCB's non-seriousness towards racism. This episode could have long-term implications.

 

[Manager101]

Lots of over reaction by some sarfraz haters and ICC.

The guy apologized to the South African player in public for the remarks and still some want him to be banned. He wasn't even involved in corruption or fixing.

Some people want robots to play sports.

 

[MRSN]

Offence was committed on Tuesday 22nd Jan in second ODI and Sarfraz played in next ODI on Friday 25th Jan. That was enough working hours there for ICC to have taken a prompt action before the 3rd game, and they could have done that without anyone at ICC HQ having to work past 5pm or skipping their lunch break to finish off the admin work that came with suspending Sarfraz.

Unless we imagine the ICC boardroom had high level briefings, discussions with anti racism authorities, intensive background checks on the players from their schools, conference calls with board officials from PCB and SA CB, working till late deliberating this matter and to get the final report completed overnight with someone working overtime and into the weekend, just in time to announce the suspension before the Sunday match .. somehow I don’t think so

My guess is they were waiting for PCB to take action like ACB and BCCI have taken against their players before announcing anything. But I agree Sarfraz should not have been allowed to look such a masoom guy after blunder he made with his big mouth. IMO sarfraz has gotten away here. 8 matches ban was coming his way if ICC took early notice.

 

[xricket]

Lots of over reaction by some sarfraz haters and ICC.

The guy apologized to the South African player in public for the remarks and still some want him to be banned. He wasn't even involved in corruption or fixing.

Some people want robots to play sports.

Lol. Apologizing doesn't & shouldn't make punishment go away!

 

[Manager101]

Lol. Apologizing doesn't & shouldn't make punishment go away!

Good luck with robotic sports. Infact ban people for sledging aswell.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Detestable statement from the PCB. Appalled doesn't cover it. Do they have a brain cell to muster between them ?

 

[xricket]

Good luck with robotic sports. Infact ban people for sledging aswell.

You sir, should check and read english fallacies

 

[Shafi]

Before Sarfraz Mani himself needs counseling and class to teach "What the definition of Racism" and how to act on it. Seriously this guy doesn't have any understanding about social communication/behavior and maintaining relation with foreigner. He is no where fit to be PCB boss. Really disappointed with IK to select this guy who is not fit for the job.

 

[MMHS]

So Sarfraz won't be there for the 3rd T20I either.

What's going on here? Saifi gone for good?

Maybe [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] was right after all, although instead of Hafeez, it might be Malik leading us in the WC.

There are lots of !d!ots in PCB upon whom no one has much control - this is one prime example. At one side, they have withdrawn Sarfraz, and then criticizing ICC, and I am sure there'll be band wagon joining the parade. Before fixing cricket, Wasim Khan will struggle to fix his office first.

Regarding Hafeez, I think there is some major issue which we don't know - my hunch is few "crucial" players are not comfortable in his appointment.

 

[xricket]

Stupid complaining about ICC. Imagine these foreign players abusing our prophet or said something like that? We wont have taken it lightly. Thats how they treat racism

 

[JattMaula]

This is worse than actual incident.

 

[xricket]

This is worse than actual incident.

Far worse, as it reflects PCB's policy

 

[Shafi]

There are lots of !d!ots in PCB upon whom no one has much control - this is one prime example. At one side, they have withdrawn Sarfraz, and then criticizing ICC, and I am sure there'll be band wagon joining the parade. Before fixing cricket, Wasim Khan will struggle to fix his office first.

Regarding Hafeez, I think there is some major issue which we don't know - my hunch is few "crucial" players are not comfortable in his appointment.

Does Wasim Khan have right to sack Mani?
Is Wasim Khan any good ?
How you rate Mani's appointment by IK?

 

[Junaids]

Detestable statement from the PCB. Appalled doesn't cover it. Do they have a brain cell to muster between them ?

This is worse than actual incident.

Far worse, as it reflects PCB's policy

I have already written to the ICC to suggest that the PCB has now violated the anti-racism code and should be charged with bringing cricket into disrepute.

 

[Balthazar]

Oh dear..

When will PCB take responsibility of protecting the game? This game is better off such entities.

 

[Shafi]

I have already written to the ICC to suggest that the PCB has now violated the anti-racism code and should be charged with bringing cricket into disrepute.

Tweet to IK to remove Mani. I have already did that

 

[xricket]

This is so bad, that intead of foreign teams coming to Pakistan, we may not get invited to their home countries as well, in future, as we dont respect their culture and norms. And our board rather than being strict, is pretty lax about it

 

[Last Monetarist]

I have already written to the ICC to suggest that the PCB has now violated the anti-racism code and should be charged with bringing cricket into disrepute.

Mani needs to lose his job over this, but of course he is buddies with an incorruptible prime minister. This is beyond the pale.

 

[xricket]

Mani needs to lose his job over this, but of course he is buddies with an incorruptible prime minister. This is beyond the pale.

He won't, as Immi is a narcissistic himself and doesn't accept responsibility for mistakes

 

[MMHS]

Does Wasim Khan have right to sack Mani?
Is Wasim Khan any good ?
How you rate Mani's appointment by IK?

I believe he is an honest, capable guy but at least 15 years too old for the position. Unless, they change the organizational structure to give Wasim Khan more functional & decision making power, he won't be able to do much. Probably, the arrangement is like WK will work below the line and his decisions/actions will be imposed by Mani - in that case, it may work. WK should be good - great back ground, successful track record, and experienced as well in similar role, also comes from Pakistani roots.

 

[MRSN]

This is so bad, that intead of foreign teams coming to Pakistan, we may not get invited to their home countries as well, in future, as we dont respect their culture and norms. And our board rather than being strict, is pretty lax about it

Pakistan team has lost a lot of fans due to this circus.

 

[Shafi]

I believe he is an honest, capable guy but at least 15 years too old for the position. Unless, they change the organizational structure to give Wasim Khan more functional & decision making power, he won't be able to do much. Probably, the arrangement is like WK will work below the line and his decisions/actions will be imposed by Mani - in that case, it may work. WK should be good - great back ground, successful track record, and experienced as well in similar role, also comes from Pakistani roots.

Mani?

 

[MRSN]

He won't, as Immi is a narcissistic himself and doesn't accept responsibility for mistakes

Sadly have to agree. Expect nothing from PM.

 

[Last Monetarist]

He won't, as Immi is a narcissistic himself and doesn't accept responsibility for mistakes

The PM is just as incompetent as Mani. Incompetence and narcissism seems to be de la mode for electability during this golden age of ours.

 

[Saj]

A few questions:

Why are PCB sending Sarfaraz home?
Why did ICC allow Sarfaraz to play the 3rd ODI?

PCB really are dragging this issue out.

 

[Shafi]

A few questions:

Why are PCB sending Sarfaraz home?
Why did ICC allow Sarfaraz to play the 3rd ODI?

PCB really are dragging this issue out.

ICC allowed Sarfraz to play 3rd ODI because they were expecting PCB to do the right thing.
PCB sent Sarfraz home because they knew he will be banned for 4 matches.

 

[jagatk]

Lots of over reaction by some sarfraz haters and ICC.

The guy apologized to the South African player in public for the remarks and still some want him to be banned. He wasn't even involved in corruption or fixing.

Some people want robots to play sports.

If you break the rules you get punished, apologizing is something one should be doing to show how sorry he is for his actions not because he wants avoid punishment.

None of Pandya, Rahul, Warner, Smith, Bancroft or Stokes in recent times were guilty or even under suspicion for corruption or fixing, yet all faced similar bans of varying periods. Just because you aren't corrupt doesn't mean you are a saint, that's like saying if you haven't killed anyone you are gandhi.

Robots won't be that bad, i am sure they won't be racist and in sarfaraz's case most likely better player too.

 

[Indiafan]

The PCB is intent on using every opportunity to show its unprofessionalism and if anything they could have been pro active on this issue and shown they took the offence seriously, by announcing immediate suspension and recalling Sarfraz from SA.

But , coming on to the ICC .. why did it take this long to announce the suspension?? There was nothing to investigate here, what happened was recorded live and translated into English by the media in minutes, ICC should have announced suspension with immediate effect after that match and indefinitely until punishment finalised even — but no you get Sarfraz playing his next match, then being publicly forgiven by SA captain and having a photo of handshake with the victim with the match referee present if I’m not mistaken — all move on, and then ICC wake up and announce a suspension.

Not against the action of suspending Sarfraz (if anything this is lenient, he should be stripped of captaincy) but PCB is useless and out for a duck here and ICC playing a mistimed late cut edged to wicket keeper.

I think ICC was giving time for PCB to act. They were thinking PCB will suspend Sarfraz, instead PCB came with the idea of public apology. For all other boards ECB, ACB, BCCI ICC knows they will take action so they just leave it to the board. When they saw no punishment was happening from PCB ICC was forced to suspend the player themselves

 

[xricket]

If you break the rules you get punished, apologizing is something one should be doing to show how sorry he is for his actions not because he wants avoid punishment.

None of Pandya, Rahul, Warner, Smith, Bancroft or Stokes in recent times were guilty or even under suspicion for corruption or fixing, yet all faced similar bans of varying periods. Just because you aren't corrupt doesn't mean you are a saint, that's like saying if you haven't killed anyone you are gandhi.

Robots won't be that bad, i am sure they won't be racist and in sarfaraz's case most likely better player too.

I couldnt have said it better myself

 

[xricket]

I think ICC was giving time for PCB to act. They were thinking PCB will suspend Sarfraz, instead PCB came with the idea of public apology. For all other boards ECB, ACB, BCCI ICC knows they will take action so they just leave it to the board. When they saw no punishment was happening from PCB ICC was forced to suspend the player themselves

Exactly. ICC expected professionalism, and what they got was total stupid response