Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed vowed Tuesday to be a better player as he returned home after being handed a four-match ban for a racial slur against a South African player in Durban last week.
The 31-year-old was heard on a stump microphone making a comment in Urdu about Andile Phehlukwayo during the second one-day international.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday banned Sarfraz for four matches — two one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals — of the South African tour.
“Whatever happened has happened,” Sarfraz told media at the airport after landing from Cape Town. “I accepted my mistake and ICC’s decision is in front of you.
“I will improve myself and my performance in the future and I thank my supporters for their backing.”
In Sarfraz’s absence, Shoaib Malik led the team to an eight wicket win in the fourth match in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Pakistan and South Africa meet in the final match in Cape Town on Wednesday, with the series tied at 2-2. That will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 international series.
