Pakistan board expressed its disappointment at the decision of the International Cricket Council to suspend captain Sarfraz Ahmed for four matches.

Sarfraz was handed the punishment for breaching ICC’s anti-racism code. The wicketkeeper batsman made distasteful remarks about South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo during the second ODI in Durban, including comments about his skin colour. Sarfraz later met the all-rounder and issued an apology.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said Sarfraz’s apology had been taken into consideration while deciding the quantum of punishment.

“The ICC has a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct of this nature,” Richardson said. “Sarfraz has promptly admitted the offence, was regretful of his actions and has issued a public apology, so these factors were taken into account when determining an appropriate sanction.”

However, the Pakistan board said since Sarfraz had apologised to Andile to express his regret and the South African team had forgiven Sarfraz, the issue should have been deemed over. The PCB said it will seek a change in ICC rules so that issues that are resolved amicably aren’t pursued further.

“The PCB notes the ICC decision on Sarfraz Ahmed with its utmost disappointment,” the board said in a statement.

“PCB had anticipated that the matter had been resolved amicably between the two players and the two boards following Sarfraz Ahmed’s public apologies which were accepted by the player, the board and South Africa cricket team.

“The PCB will be pursuing this matter at the ICC forums with the objective to bring reforms to the code, promoting amicable resolutions to issues as opposed to penalties. Having said that, the PCB reiterates its zero-tolerance approach towards racist comments and behaviour.”

Sarfraz is set to return to Pakistan, with Mohammad Rizwan replacing him in T20s. Shoaib Malik has been named captain.

With inputs from Press Association