Phehlukwayo incident was blown out of proportion, says Sarfraz

KARACHI: Pakistan’s currently-suspended captain Sarfraz Ahmed has said that the incident involving him and South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo was exaggerated and blown out of proportion.

Talking to media at Karachi’s Southend Club on Sunday, where he came to watch the Pakistan vs West Indies women’s T20I, Sarfraz clarified that Phehlukwayo had no issue with his remarks and was instead only concerned about what he had said about his mother.

“When I met him to say sorry, he told me that he felt that something wrong was said about his mother,” Sarfraz said.

“Then I explained to him what ‘Maa Ki Dua’ means in our culture,” the skipper added.

Sarfraz was banned for four matches by the ICC for breaching its Anti-Racism code, after the skipper was heard making a racist remark to South Africa’s Phehlukwayo during the second ODI in Durban.

The wicketkeeper batsman reiterated that he had admitted his mistake of using a racial slur and apologised to everyone who was hurt by his unintentional comments.

“I didn’t mean any racial attack, and I explained that to Phehlukwayo as well. He accepted my apology and clarification when I explained it to him,” Sarfraz said.

Sarfraz said that shouting from behind the stumps is in his nature and he does that to boost the team’s morale.

He also expressed confidence that he will return as Pakistan’s captain for the next series.

“It is up to the PCB but I’m confident that I will stay as the team’s captain Insha’Allah,” he added.