PCB disappointed with ICC decision on Sarfaraz Ahmed

[topspin]

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 At one side, they have withdrawn Sarfraz, and then criticizing ICC, and I am sure there'll be band wagon joining the parade.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.

Wasn't aware of that, do you know what this could be about?

 

[Gilly]

PCB are insulting Phehlukwayo all over again.


Phehlukwayo just wants it to go away, why apologise then complain about the punishment and make an issue of it. PCB had a chance to show respect but have made it more stressful for Phehlukwayo.

 

[Majid Khan]

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

Not disagreeing on the incompetence of the PCB compared to the other boards, but the fact of the matter is if PCB were going to intervene and take disciplinary action this would have been done well before the 3rd ODI. The PCB gave a press release to highlight their ‘zero tolerance’ policy but did not mention any further steps or inquiry so it was clear there was going to be no action from PCB.

If ICC was going to intervene and set things right, then it should have been done in time to prevent Sarfraz from playing in next game (3rd ODI) and actually they could have easily done this through the ICC match referee. Instead you get the match referee smiling alongside Sarfraz in that handshake photo which implied all was forgiven and forgotten, time to move on.

Not criticising the decision to suspend Sarfraz but bad timing by ICC.

 

[topspin]

Ehsan Mani and PCB deserve all the criticism for their stance here. It's despicable that after a racist comment, they are opposing such a lenient punishment. Sarfraz should have been stripped of captaincy and I would have like to have seen a six month ban, so an example could be made out of him.

PCB wants to promote foreigners to play cricket in Pakistan but this is exactly how you turn them away.

I see some posts backing Sethi to deal with this more responsibly, however knowing his history he's done a lot worse with his failed interpretation of what a MoU is and the resulting humiliation when he decided to take the battle legally with the BCCI.

 

[MMHS]

Wasn't aware of that, do you know what this could be about?

I think, his antics of "moral" during Amir's return wasn't appreciated by junior members, who are now actually the main force of the team and they are quite together - Amir, Hasan, Shadab, Babar, Imam, Rizwan, Fahim, even FZ & Imam are more or less contemporary. I might be wrong, but my feelings is after Sarfraz, these bunch'll look for a younger Captain, preferably someone from themselves. This is an unusual situation, so they do know why Sarfraz has to be replaced, but they must have a preference among seniors. Malik is definitely more popular and he is leaving after WC - you can't say that for Hafeez

 

[Sherlock]

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

They're not appealing it.

“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...."

 

[Nov15]

What's with this PCB's victim mentality? Whenever they're faced with a scandal, their attitude is like "Our players are masoom babies and the whole world is out to get them".

 

[topspin]

I think, his antics of "moral" during Amir's return wasn't appreciated by junior members, who are now actually the main force of the team and they are quite together - Amir, Hasan, Shadab, Babar, Imam, Rizwan, Fahim, even FZ & Imam are more or less contemporary. I might be wrong, but my feelings is after Sarfraz, these bunch'll look for a younger Captain, preferably someone from themselves. This is an unusual situation, so they do know why Sarfraz has to be replaced, but they must have a preference among seniors. Malik is definitely more popular and he is leaving after WC - you can't say that for Hafeez

Very intriguing this and would certainly be for the best. I hope the long term option would be one of Amir, Fakhar or Imad from the current XI.

 

[Hitman]

Funniest bit is that while almost every poster on this thread can see the obvious, PCB is blind to it.

 

[Hitman]

You get invited to South Africa to play cricket, you know their dark history with regards to racism, and then your captain calls one of the players from the host team a darkie.

And knowing all of this, the PCB is disappointed.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

You get invited to South Africa to play cricket, you know their dark history with regards to racism, and then your captain calls one of the players from the host team a darkie.

And knowing all of this, the PCB is disappointed.

Kaala is black. Not a racist term at all. How come Gibbs can call us animals?

 

[Baigel]

Yes Definitely, Mickey is certainly "Disappointed"

 

[Hitman]

Kaala is black. Not a racist term at all. How come Gibbs can call us animals?

So why exactly has he been banned for 4 matches if what he said isn't racist?

And did Gibbs or his board whine when he was handed a ban for 2 Test matches?

 

[Ed_]

Kaala is black. Not a racist term at all. How come Gibbs can call us animals?

PCB are doing a fine job justifying his words.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

So why exactly has he been banned for 4 matches if what he said isn't racist?

And did Gibbs or his board whine when he was handed a ban for 2 Test matches?

He's been banned because some people made a fuss over it.

 

[Mp812]

I am so .... surprised.

Looks like penalties for talented wrong doers is not on agenda for PCB ever.

 

[xricket]

You are right. Western writers who write and draw against Islam should not be stopped because we make fuss of their actions. Amazing logic.

Finally, someone with logic. I don't get why we don't respect other people's wishes, but want them to have the same for ourselves. Reeks of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Imagine them being critics of our religion while playing cricket. How would have that made us felt? I wonder why it's difficult to get it by someone with even an average IQ

 

[GLORY OF '92]

You are right. Western writers who write and draw against Islam should not be stopped because we make fuss of their actions. Amazing logic.

Impossible to explain to people like yourselves. If you had ever been to Pakistan you would know Kaala isn't a racist term.

 

[Buffet]

PCB is right to stand by Sarfaraz ..

Agree here. PCB also showed guts to insist on playing fixers immediate when they were caught.

Always ready to take the right steps to set examples.

 

[Hawkeye]

Impossible to explain to people like yourselves. If you had ever been to Pakistan you would know Kaala isn't a racist term.

So explain, will you teach your children to refer to people of color as 'abey kaalay'?

Stop being innocent. It is common in Pak, but it's still bad.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Now i'm 100% convinced that the PCB is being run by headless chickens.

 

[Buffet]

Impossible to explain to people like yourselves. If you had ever been to Pakistan you would know Kaala isn't a racist term.

I take it from you that, it's normal to call,

Black come here

White come here

Brown come here

in Pakistan. It's not normal to call anyone by skin of their color in other places and it's very offensive. Add SA recent history and you will see it in some context.

I am not sure if it's normal even in Pakistan.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Faf did say that he doesn’t want the matter to be brushed under the carpet and has left it on the ICC to take a decision. PCB might have lost a well-wisher here.

 

[JaDed]

They're not appealing it.

That is worse?

 

[Major]

Can they really complain? the minimum punishment for what sarfaraz did was 4 suspension points, PCB offered up 2, can't blame ICC for not accepting this.

However PCB did offer to give a punishment that fell within the laws regarded to anti- racism..

 

[Sherlock]

That is worse?

What is worse?

 

[Mirpur express]

Any excuse for pcb to come out & show the world how pathetic this organisation is.. IK really needs to overhaul.. Mani has to go.. its beggars belief that this guy is ex icc president!! Why o why are we lacking in proper pcb administration in a country of 220 million ppl surely there must be a dozen folk who can turn this place around , I vote for [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] for PCB chairman

 

[Greenstorm]

We have made an habit of going after PCB on every matter. Issue is that why was Sarfaraz allowed to play in 3rd ODI by ICC and was suspended hours before 4th ODI ?

Imo, Mani was never sold on Sarfaraz as Pakistan's captain, that is the reason why he has been called back now. If Malik manages to win ODI and T20 series, along with decent performance in PSL, Sarfaraz might be removed from captaincy. This statement released by PCB is just khana puri.

 

[jagatk]

However PCB did offer to give a punishment that fell within the laws regarded to anti- racism..

How, from what i found for first offence by a player the punishment is between 4 and 8 match ban, are there other rules, because even with process of conciliation approach for voluntary suspension it states that due regard should be given to what icc considers penalties for the offenders.

 

[MRSN]

I take it from you that, it's normal to call,

Black come here

White come here

Brown come here

in Pakistan. It's not normal to call anyone by skin of their color in other places and it's very offensive. Add SA recent history and you will see it in some context.

I am not sure if it's normal even in Pakistan.

It's not normal. In my experience people find it very offensive and get hurt. They might laugh it off if they are friends with you but deep down they emotionally get hurt. And if they are strangers they might show anger in different way. People are being hypocrite if they say otherwise.

 

[Bewal Express]

The ICC did what the PCB should have done.

 

[Indiafan]

Impossible to explain to people like yourselves. If you had ever been to Pakistan you would know Kaala isn't a racist term.

And drawing against religion is not illegal or bad in those countries. Yet people here will protest if that is done. So obviously it doesn't matter if its not a big deal for the perpetrator, it matters if it's a big deal for the recipient or his race/religion

 

[Indiafan]

We have made an habit of going after PCB on every matter. Issue is that why was Sarfaraz allowed to play in 3rd ODI by ICC and was suspended hours before 4th ODI ?

.

Because ICC gives time and chance to the board to take action before stepping in themselves on serious things.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

There is an option in the Anti-Racism code for the case to be resolved through a process of conciliation but the ICC determined not to take it through that.

In 2016, Cricket Namibia had lodged a complaint under the code against Afghanistan. That was resolved through a conciliator.

"Under the Anti-racism code Sarfraz had the option of accepting the charge but disputing the sanction, which he hasn't exercised. The PCB may be disappointed but they are not challenging the decision."


The PCB is believed to have offered to step down Sarfraz for at least a couple of games voluntarily, as well as donating his match fees from games to suitable causes - under the Anti-Racism code, such an offer is acceptable if a conciliator is being used. That offer was rejected by the ICC.

The PCB's disappointment is understood to emanate from this, that they effectively went through the procedures of a conciliation with CSA - albeit without an ICC conciliator - in the public and private apologies, as well as this voluntary suspension offer, and yet still had a sanction imposed upon Sarfraz by the ICC.

But there is also the question of why, if the ICC was determined to sanction Sarfraz, it took them close to five days to do so - days within which, publicly at least, it seemed as if an amicable resolution was being reached.

Some further details

 

[Indiafan]

I take it from you that, it's normal to call,

Black come here

White come here

Brown come here

in Pakistan. It's not normal to call anyone by skin of their color in other places and it's very offensive. Add SA recent history and you will see it in some context.

I am not sure if it's normal even in Pakistan.

It's a form of light bullying in Asian countries. Calling people kaala, naata, mota. And believe me, those people don't say anything to fit in but go home and feel really bad

 

[MRSN]

Impossible to explain to people like yourselves. If you had ever been to Pakistan you would know Kaala isn't a racist term.

I have lived my whole life here and I know how people feel when they are called with such names. There are rare cases people may not show any anger or emotional hurt like a friend you are very very close even then they may get hurt from the inside as they are constantly being reminded about their dark skin but you cannot go to a stranger and call him with these names. He will definitely make you pay for it which shows it is taken as a offensive word.

 

[Greenstorm]

Because ICC gives time and chance to the board to take action before stepping in themselves on serious things.

PCB and CSA talked it out between them and it was clear that they won't be taking any action against Sarfaraz. Then why this suspension from ICC just hours before the match ? that too after Sarfaraz has already played an ODI after the incident ?

 

[MRSN]

PCB and CSA talked it out between them and it was clear that they won't be taking any action against Sarfaraz. Then why this suspension from ICC just hours before the match ? that too after Sarfaraz has already played an ODI after the incident ?

PCB begged SA not to lodge official complaint because then Sarfraz would not only get a lengthy ban from ICC but face SA anti racism laws as well. Also Faf clearly said matter is in ICC hands. He didn't say they want ICC to forgive him.

 

[Greenstorm]

PCB begged SA not to lodge official complaint because then Sarfraz would not only get a lengthy ban from ICC but face SA anti racism laws as well. Also Faf clearly said matter is in ICC hands. He didn't say they want ICC to forgive him.

Why was Sarfaraz allowed to play 3rd ODI and was banned hours before the 4th ODI ? Does that make any sense ?

 

[sjahmed23]

PCB should just keep quiet and let sarfraz take punishment for his actions. Racism is not taken lightly in other countries, these players could in return refuse to play in PSL then you are really in bad place.

 

[JaDed]

What is worse?

That they are going to purse taking off the penalty , they could had jus argued for this case instead.

"to bring reforms to the Code, promoting amicable resolutions to issues as opposed to penalties"

 

[Sachin136]

It's a form of light bullying in Asian countries. Calling people kaala, naata, mota. And believe me, those people don't say anything to fit in but go home and feel really bad

Not sure where you live, but from what I can tell based on when I was living in India, you will probably get punched if you refer to a random person as "kaala".

 

[Greenstorm]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...cial-remark/story-YIpFSyLKXdKEk9Zicusl1J.html

You misunderstood what was happening. There wasn't any resolution between the two parties.

Ok, I was wrong. But why did ICC allowed him to play 3rd ODI and suspended him hours before 4th ODI ?

 

[Indiafan]

Not sure where you live, but from what I can tell based on when I was living in India, you will probably get punched if you refer to a random person as "kaala".

i was talking about among a close group of friends. Of course if you try it with a stranger...

 

[hitthestump]

I am so happy this happened. Shoaib has 4 games to prove himself a much better captain, and all Rizwan has to do to prove himself a better wicketkeeper-batsman is show up. Safaraz will go out in disgrace and hopefully that uneducated fraud will never come near the team again.

 

[Saj]

PCB accepted that Sarfaraz was in the wrong, so what were they expecting, a slap on the wrist and nothing else?

 

[Savak]

Sarfaraz gets some much needed rest as well. He has been playing all formats in the last 2 years

 

[moghul]

Shame on PCB.

 

[Sherlock]

That they are going to purse taking off the penalty , they could had jus argued for this case instead.

"to bring reforms to the Code, promoting amicable resolutions to issues as opposed to penalties"

I think that's their overall view, but that shouldn't be in this case. They messed up and are trying to paint this as not a big deal, when in fact it was. They're saving face if anything.

 

[Sherlock]

PCB accepted that Sarfaraz was in the wrong, so what were they expecting, a slap on the wrist and nothing else?

Are the the rumours true that the ICC declined PCB's punishment of 2 games for Sarfaraz because they wanted a harsher punishment?

 

[Saj]

Are the the rumours true that the ICC declined PCB's punishment of 2 games for Sarfaraz because they wanted a harsher punishment?

ICC won't confirm this and it's a waste of time asking PCB this question.

 

[sjahmed23]

I am so happy this happened. Shoaib has 4 games to prove himself a much better captain, and all Rizwan has to do to prove himself a better wicketkeeper-batsman is show up. Safaraz will go out in disgrace and hopefully that uneducated fraud will never come near the team again.

Education really has nothing to do with this type of behavior. Infact I believe 'educated' Pakistanis are more inclined to behave this way than the non educated ones. Sarfraz had been getting carried away for a while, bashing junior players like he is some sort of school teacher, calling faf a nashaye and then this, it was coming. Hopefully this is a blessing in disguise as I believe Pakistan team is stronger without him.

 

[CricketBuff]

Sarfaraz has been weak captain. Maybe this will be a blessing in disguise. Sarfaraz also is very temperamental. My guess is they will stick with Malik till ICC world cup and then appoint a long term captain probably Imad Wasim

 

[KhanPredator]

Trying to keep his t20 series winning streak in check by not being allowed to play the last t20

 

[cricketAXEpert]

PCB now trying to copy how BCCI behaved in Monkeygate.
Instead of taking the initiative of banning Sarfaraz themselves, PCB is now protesting a foregone conclusion.

This is just poor thinking by PCB

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Kaala is black. Not a racist term at all. How come Gibbs can call us animals?

Kaala is far worse than black lmao, you do realize that Pakistan is a country obsessed with skin tones?

 

[Savak]

Sad that calling a black guy black is considered racism when it is a fact.

 

[Varun]

PCB gonna PCB.

 

[jagatk]

Sad that calling a black guy black is considered racism when it is a fact.

N-word is also supposed to mean black I suppose it ain't racist either, niether is p-word used against south asians in England since it is true for all pak descendant folk. Really pathetic thinking this.

 

[Buffet]

Sad that calling a black guy black is considered racism when it is a fact.

Oy, brown guy.... Pay attention where you are going....

Would you like some one addressing you like that?

I guess you and Sarfraz find it perfectly fine way to address person by their skin color, but majority of world find such language racist. Time to follow the norm or don't take offence if people call you racist.

 

[Unleashed]

Sad that calling a black guy black is considered racism when it is a fact.

Are you actually for real?

 

[Indiafan]

Sad that calling a black guy black is considered racism when it is a fact.

If you say that guy is black, it's not racism. If you say, "Hey blacky, come here", it's racism. You know this too but are prtending here

 

[latecut]

You get invited to South Africa to play cricket, you know their dark history with regards to racism, and then your captain calls one of the players from the host team a darkie.

And knowing all of this, the PCB is disappointed.

In fact, this applies with visits to other countries as well. You cannot show/ act/ speak with insensitivity towards people of other countries and hope to have good relations with them.

 

[Babbar]

Ok, I was wrong. But why did ICC allowed him to play 3rd ODI and suspended him hours before 4th ODI ?

So because is justice is a little delayed due to holidays or fact-check, justice should also be denied??

Indians and Pakistanis both are some of the most sensitive folks in the world about any perceived insult to our izzat, honour, iman. We are ready to kill or get killed for this sometimes-fake ‘honour’. But rarely worry about others feelings.

Context is everything. Calling someone a Darkie sarcastically in RSA in from of millions is the height of insult there - sort of refusing to acknowledge Holocaust in Europe or insulting Islam in Pakistan. If they had a law like Pakistan has for perceived insult, Sarfaraz could have in much worse situation. I am impressed that RSA team forgave him. That’s magnanimity!

As we get more integrated into the world, there’s a serious need for introspection within all of us in the subcontinent.

 

[Hitman]

Sad that calling a black guy black is considered racism when it is a fact.

Yes, I’m pretty sure you’d appreciate it if a Caucassian man refers to you as a brownie.

 

[aukhan]

Sad that calling a black guy black is considered racism when it is a fact.

Not shocking considering its coming from you. You live in your own little bubble.

 

[Veteran]

So explain, will you teach your children to refer to people of color as 'abey kaalay'?

Stop being innocent. It is common in Pak, but it's still bad.

Not many have noted the use of the word "abey". This makes it clear to me that the tone and intent were "to disparage". Black may not in itself be racist. In North America it is a preferred term. What makes a comment racist is the intent. The word "boy: can be extremely racist. The tone and use of the word "abey" which is something like "hey you" clearly show the intent. It is disingenuous to say that it was not insulting because the target would not have understood it. In fact, that makes it more disgusting and cowardly. The speaker is implicating all those who understand what he is saying in his lack of respect for another human being. The "wink wink" aspect of this is appalling and those who defend Sarfraz clearly playing "innocent". And this includes the PCB.
I am quite appalled at the number of people here who feel that all this is being blown out of proportion. Don't be surprised if there are a number of black cricketers who think twice about coming to Pakistan.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Sad that calling a black guy black is considered racism when it is a fact.

Agreed. Let little cry babies moan over it. Reality is different.

 

[Adijazz1706]

I'm even more disappointed he wasn't banned for 8 matches as planned

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Sarfraz always looked like a scruffy little fellow who made his way in the game direct from the streets of Karachi, now it is clear that most of the PCB are from a similar background. It would be difficult to imagine they could be this dumb if we hadn't seen first hand the mess they have made of the game in Pakistan.

 

[fitCricFan]

Disappointed with what!!! Had PCB proactivily taken action against Sarfraz, ICC probably wouldn't have had to suspend him. After all you cant be convicted of the same offense twice

On a more positive note, our team seems to be playing better without carrying the burden of Sarfraz. Hopefully, it continues and the selectors realize that they really don't need SA in the team any more

 

[shariqnoor]

It's the society. And Sarfraz is just a mere reflection of that very same society.

I was streaming the last ODI online and there was a chat box with mostly Pakistanis. Most of the people there referred to Phehlukwayo as Kaala once he came out to bat. The society itself does not see anything wrong with what Sarfraz said. In fact Kaala has actually become the de facto term for Phehlukwayo.

 

[Saj]

I find it quite sad and incredible that some folk think there was nothing wrong with Sarfaraz said.

 

[Bewal Express]

I find it quite sad and incredible that some folk think there was nothing wrong with Sarfaraz said.

Maybe it's not Sarfraz thats need to be educated, his bosses at the PCB also need to be trained in racial awareness.

 

[Indiafan]

Agreed. Let little cry babies moan over it. Reality is different.

I hope you remember about this statement and little crying babies and reality when some western country insults a religion and there is huge protests and riots over it. The reality in those countries is that insulting religion is ok but there are still protests over it

 

[cricketjoshila]

Agreed. Let little cry babies moan over it. Reality is different.

By your logic the P word is fine too. Its just a shortened form of Pakistani. Infact the first 4 alphabets.

Digusting.

 

[Hitman]

I find it quite sad and incredible that some folk think there was nothing wrong with Sarfaraz said.

Any civilized human being would know what Sarfaraz said is disgusting to the core. It's the ego of some posters here that prevent them from admitting it.

Some posters would defend their players no matter what they do or say. Why? Because admitting the truth would hurt their ego and give fans from other nations the liberty to speak and criticize their player.

 

[Stumper]

If the same thing was said by Kohli/Rohit/Smith, the posters defending sarfaraz would be calling for their heads, but coz this was said by kaptaan sahab they are fine with it.

Digest this, This shambolic person is captain of your cricket team. He should have been thrown out of captaincy because of this

 

[Amjid Javed]

I find it quite sad and incredible that some folk think there was nothing wrong with Sarfaraz said.

Even worse is that supposedly the PCB thought a 2 game ban was sufficient for his behavior