South Africa vs Pakistan: The on-field racist comments could land Sarfaraz Ahmed in severe trouble

Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, with his latest racist comments, could have landed himself in huge trouble. In the second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan, Ahmed was caught on the stump mic making irrelevant comments on Andile Phehlukwayo. Sarfaraz termed him ‘black’ while talking to his teammates in the 37th over of the second innings.

In the tensed chase, Phehlukwayo and Rassie van der Dussen were putting up a great partnership together. With South Africa nearing a win, the wicket-keeper batsman got really frustrated. “Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj?” Sarfaraz was heard saying in Hindi/Urdu. (Translates to: “Hey black guy, where’s your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today?”)

On-air commentator Mike Haysman even raised a question to Rameez Raja asking him for a translation. However, the former Pakistani cricketer didn’t answer the question. He informed that it was difficult to translate the line and said that it was a long sentence.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed is at risk of a suspension after stump mics caught him over these racial comments https://t.co/BfZuHwhDOc pic.twitter.com/z4LwhSwuFR

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) January 23, 2019

What does the rule say?

Racism isn’t quite acceptable in the modern-day world and there are strict laws in place against it. The match officials are entitled to take any action against Sarfaraz Ahmed. Under the ICC code of conduct for player behaviour or the ICC’s anti-racism code, they can possibly look at what could be done regarding the matter.

Article 2.13 of the regular code covers the use of insulting or obscene and offensive language used by players against another in the regular code of conduct. “This offence is not intended to cover any use of language that is likely to offend another person on the basis of their race, religion, gender, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin.

“Such conduct is prohibited under the ICC’s Anti-Racism Code and must be dealt with according to the procedures set out therein,” the rule states.

The ICC also updated the anti-racism code which is in place since 2012. According to it, it is considered an offence if :”any conduct (whether through the use of language, gestures or otherwise) which is likely to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify any reasonable person in the position of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, Umpire Support Personnel or any other person (including a spectator) on the basis of their race, religion, culture, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin.”

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