Pakistan captain Sarfraz vows to return improved man

Pakistan's captain Sarfraz Ahmed can be seen leaving the field during the second One Day International cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan at Centurion Park in Pretoria, South Africa, on Friday. Ahmed has been banned for four matches after he made a racial slur against a South African player in Durban last week. (AP)
Updated 29 January 2019
Follow

Pakistan captain Sarfraz vows to return improved man

  • Sarfraz says he will rest and prepare for Pakistan Super League
  • The Pakistan captain thanks supporters for their backing

KARACHI: 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.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed disappointment over the punishment -- saying it believed a ban was unnecessary because the matter had already been resolved between the two players -- and withdrew the Pakistan captain from the tour.

Sarfraz was greeted as he landed back at Karachi airport by some 200 fans, who held placards condemning the ICC's decision -- said the matter is behind him.

"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."

The ICC said Sarfraz will have to attend "an education program to promote the understanding and awareness of issues directly relevant to the offence that he has committed."

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.

Asked about PCB's decision to recall him, Sarfraz said: "I don't see anything in it as I was playing cricket for the last five months. I will rest and then play Pakistan Super League," referring to the league starting in the United Arab Emirates from February 14.

But Sarfraz blasted former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who condemned his action as unacceptable for someone leading Pakistan, saying Shoaib was launching "personal attacks".


Formula E heads to Jeddah for double-header, Evans looking to build on Miami momentum

Updated 11 sec ago
Follow

Formula E heads to Jeddah for double-header, Evans looking to build on Miami momentum

  • The night races in Saudi Arabia come with the drivers’ standings tightly contested, with the top five separated by just seven points after three rounds

JEDDAH: The FIA Formula E World Championship continues this week with the first double-header of the 2025/26 season, as Rounds 4 and 5 take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Feb. 13 and 14.

The night races in Saudi Arabia come with the drivers’ standings tightly contested, with the top five separated by just seven points after three rounds, while the highly anticipated Pit Boost feature also returns this weekend.

Pit Boost is a mandatory mid-race stop that provides cars with a 10 percent energy increase, adding a significant strategic element to selected races during double-header weekends.

Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans arrives in Jeddah fresh from victory in Miami and said the team is keen to build on its momentum.

“Getting the win in Miami was a huge boost, for me personally, of course, but for the whole team too. It was one of those races where everything just came together, and to take my 15th Formula E victory with Jaguar made it even more special,” he said.

“Now the attention shifts to Jeddah, which is a completely different challenge. We’ve shown we have the pace, and if we execute well across both races, there’s a big opportunity for us to really ride this momentum,” he added.

Porsche Formula E Team’s Nico Muller said the Jeddah E-Prix presents a unique challenge, particularly with the return of Pit Boost, which will be used in one of the two races.

“I’m excited for the Jeddah E-Prix, a night race is always special. It’s a cool track, it suits the GEN3 Evo (car) well,” he said.

“It’ll be the first Pit Boost race of the season, which will make things challenging, having two completely different races. It also makes preparation more intense because we’re preparing for two different scenarios.

“However, we have a strong base, the car and the team are performing well, and now it’s about optimizing our package for this track and the conditions. We have full focus on scoring points and chasing that victory,” he added.

The Jeddah E-Prix will once again be held under the lights, with cooler track and air temperatures expected to influence tire behavior and energy efficiency.

Off track, Formula E will also host the return of EVO Sessions, where global content creators will drive electric race cars at the circuit following the race weekend, with the event set to be streamed live on YouTube on Feb. 15.

The championship continues to promote sustainability and community engagement in Jeddah through initiatives focused on renewable energy use, waste reduction, education programs and inclusion, including support for young women in motorsport and local community partnerships.