The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to issue a statement concerning possible action against Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Cricket South Africa media manager Gordon Templeton said on Tuesday.
Afridi is alleged to have swung his bat at a spectator as he was making his way up the stairs to the dressing-room after he had been dismissed for 17 in Pakistan’s one-day international against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday. His action was apparently in response to something shouted by the spectator.
Last month, South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs was banned for two Test matches after being found guilty of a breach of the ICC code of conduct after he made abusive and obscene remarks about Pakistan supporters who had been heckling South African fielders during the first Test match, also played at Centurion.
Gibbs appealed, but the appeal was upheld by ICC appeals commissioner Richie Benaud of Australia, who changed the ban to one Test and two limited overs matches.
At the time, South African cricket captain Graeme Smith called for consistency from the ICC.
”We just want to see consistency around the world,” he said.
”There were things that happened to us in Australia that still haven’t been dealt with.”
He reiterated his plea for consistency on Tuesday.
”I didn’t see the incident, so I can’t really comment,” he said.
”But if a complaint has been laid, then we just want consistency in the ICC’s approach.”
Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq declined to comment on the Afridi incident. — Sapa