Wednesday 23 January 2019 21:37, UK
Sarfraz Ahmed and the Pakistan Cricket Board have apologised after the national team captain was caught on the stump microphone making an alleged racist remark towards an opponent.
The International Cricket Council opened an investigation after remarks made by Sarfraz towards South Africa's Andile Phehlukwayo during Tuesday's second one-day international in Durban which included the Urdu word "kaale", meaning "black".
A PCB statement on Wednesday read: "The PCB expresses regret over the remark made by their captain Sarfraz Ahmed and picked up by the stump mic during the second ODI against South Africa in Durban.
"The PCB neither endorses nor supports any comments that have the potential to cause offence, and firmly reiterates their zero-tolerance approach towards racist comments made; in whatever context. The PCB endeavours to improve their player education programmes to ensure these types of incidents do not happen again.
"Sarfraz is one of the most respected cricketers in the world. However, captaining Pakistan is a massive honour and any hurtful remarks by any cricketer, let alone the captain, are not acceptable to the PCB."
Sarfraz himself wrote on Twitter: "I wish to extend my sincere apologies to any person who may have taken offence from my expression of frustration which was unfortunately caught by the stump mic during yesterday's game against SA.
"My words were not directed towards anyone in particular and I certainly had no intention of upsetting anyone. I did not even mean for my words to be heard, understood or communicated to the opposing team or the cricket fans.
"I have in the past and will continue in future to appreciate the camaraderie of my fellow cricketers from across the globe and will always respect and honour them on and off the field."
The ICC has yet to comment publicly on the matter but South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee said after the game: "The ICC and the match officials have noted the alleged incident.
"They have started the necessary procedures to investigate the matter. We can only comment once we have received the results of the investigation."
South Africa won the match by five wickets to level the five-match series at 1-1.
Phehlukwayo was named man of the match after taking 4-22 and then scoring 69 not out.
