PCB chairman hits out at ICC for suspending Sarfraz Ahmed

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani has lashed out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its decision to suspend Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Mani was of the view that the board has already ‘cleared the air’ after Sarfraz publicly apologize for the incident and the apology was accepted by the Cricket South Africa (CSA), thus the ICC didn’t need to punish Sarfraz. "So common sense should have meant that was the end of the matter,” said Mani, quoted ESPNcricinfo.

"We made an apology at all levels and it had been accepted by everyone. We have a good relationship with CSA. For the ICC to jump in because Andile Phehlukwayo was upset and didn't want a reconciliation process, [and to feel they] have to charge Sarfraz, that's where I think a bit of nonsense comes into this. What else can you achieve by sitting them in a room? They're not school children," he added.

Sarfraz was handed a four match suspension by the ICC, as the cricketer was found in violation of the Anti-Racism code after he was caught heard making a racist remark to South Africa’s Phehlukwayo during the second ODI in Durban.

The PCB expressed its dissatisfaction over the decision, however, Mani said that he is not running away from the incident, and is fully aware of its seriousness. "Obviously Sarfaraz will be spoken to. The whole team will be told that you have to be very careful. It is also a bit of a cultural issue - the word that he used, in Pakistan it would be ignored. That doesn't mean the culture is right but the tone wasn't in any way vicious or vindictive," he said.