Sarfaraz Ahmed, the captain of our cricket team, recently got into a controversy for making racist comments against the South African player Andile Phehlukwayo. His comments came while he was playing the second ODI against South Africa and his racist comments got caught on camera, leading, initially to commentator speculation, and then massive public backlash.
After Sarfaraz’s remarks drew heavy criticism, he issued an apology last night
1/2 – 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…
— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) January 23, 2019
2/3 – 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…
— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) January 23, 2019
3/3 – …across the globe and will always respect and honour them on and off the field.
— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) January 23, 2019
The apology seemed to have disappointed people because there is still no concrete action taken against the player by Pakistan Cricket Board
Critics think an action against Sarfaraz for such remarks should be taken in order to make it a teaching moment that such comments, views and ideology will not be tolerated in an ever-evolving world. These remarks may have been taken as a “joke” in the past but as people’s understanding of racial sensitivity and inclusivity increases, such remarks come off as extremely disgusting.
Sarfaraz bhai aap b apni aukaat se bahir hogye the
— Akif (@akif0945) January 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/burgerbingo/status/1088280886733357056
https://twitter.com/morb_d/status/1088268377087528960
Fans are even questioning the personal character of Sarfaraz Ahmed following the distasteful remarks
sarfaraz is a hafiz e Quran but at the same time he gave racial comments shame on you sarfaraz I don't believe that it was Misbah ul haq that support you
— SANA AHMAD. (@SANAAHM30007491) January 24, 2019
Some Pakistani fans are particularly angry that Indian media has taken this moment to spew hatred against the Pakistani cricketer while ignoring that this insensitive behavior is common in players of both countries
at least Indian media should shut their mouths on Sarfaraz issue, their skipper spit abuses straight forward on field. neither our cricket fans nor our cricket players liked those comments from skipper and the captain had already apologized for his words
— N (@C7314d2_0) January 24, 2019
Sarfaraz’s wife also put up a joke which trolls the cricketer but also diffuses the gravity of the racial remarks that were made
https://twitter.com/sarfarazkhush/status/1088171974726246408
Such insensitive remarks being casually thrown in a country like Pakistan is pretty common. Many people are often ignorant to the fact that whoever these remarks are casually directed at can be affected by them for life. It may be easier for you to say “Joke tha yaar, dil pe mat le” but the long term affects of recurring remarks like these on people’s mental health can be grave. Keeping this in mind, it is important that an institutional action be taken against Sarfaraz Ahmed so PCB can make it a teaching moment for all their current, future players and the fandom at large that such negativity, even if made as off-the-cuff remarks, will not be tolerated.
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Cover image via: cricketcountry.com
