Racism! Safraz Ahmed faces flak over 'kalaa' remarks on Andile Phehlukwayo, could land in serious trouble
Despite numerous attempts by the sporting bodies, fresh cases of racism continue to emerge on the field. While sometimes, it's the fans who pass insulting comments on the players, sometimes it's the opposite team's players. It was the latter case during the second ODI between Pakistan and South Africa at Kingsmead as visiting skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was heard calling Proteas' all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo was called a 'kalaa' (black) by Sarfraz.
“Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj? (Hey black guy, where's your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today?)”, Sarfraz was heard saying during the TV broadcast during the 37th over of the match, while Phehlukwayo was batting.
Former Pakistani cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja was also asked by Mike Haysman to translate as to what Sarfraz had said. In reply, he said: “Difficult really to translate that, it’s a big long sentence.”
As per the ICC anti-racism code, a player can be found guilty of racist comment when, "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."
The uproar on social media has been huge ever since the video of the Sarfraz's comments surfaced online. While the case rests in the hands of the match officials in order to decide what sort of punishment should be given to the Pakistan skipper, the 31-year-old isn't being forgiven for the distasteful comments on social media.
As for the match, Andile Phehlukwayo emerged as the match-winner for South Africa, first for his 4/22 with the ball and then for an unbeaten 69 with the bat. The hosts' victory in the second ODI puts the 5-match ODI series level at 1-1.