Wasim Akram backs suspended Sarfraz, fires back at social media vitriol

Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler, Wasim Akram, has backed embattled skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, saying that the racist comment incident was fanned by us on social media.  

“Sarfraz committed the mistake and he has apologised for it…. We were the one to highlight Sarfraz's mistake by raising the incident time and time again on social media,” said Akram, while talking to media persons. Sarfraz was handed a four-match suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC), after he was caught via the stump mics making a racist comment against the South African all rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in the Durban ODI.

The former skipper was of the view that the team has no time to change captain, as World Cup is right around the corner. “We no longer have the time to change the captain. Sarfraz is a passionate captain and also there is no alternative choice available," said Akram, while talking to local media.

Speaking about Shoaib Malik, who was given the role of stand-in captain after Sarfraz was handed suspension by the ICC, the Sultan of Swing said that making Shoaib the captain is not the solution, as he has already announced to retire after the World Cup.

“What will happen after the World Cup if we make Shoaib the captain, he would retire as he has already said, so what we’ll do then,” said Wasim.