The International Cricket Council handed Sarfraz Ahmed a four-match suspension on Sunday after a racist remark made by the Pakistan captain was picked up by a stump microphone in South Africa last week.

"The ICC has a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct of this nature. Sarfaraz 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," the global cricket governing body's chief executive David Richardson said in a statement.

During the match last week, Pakistan were chasing SA’s total of 203. In the 37th over, Ahmed, facing a delivery from Phehlukwayo, said: "Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj"? This was picked up by the stump microphone.

ESPN Cricinfo translated it as, "Hey black guy, where's your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today"?

Ahmed later apologised. 

The Pakistan captain tweeted: "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 I certainly had no intention of upsetting anyone."

The ICC statement reads: "Sarfaraz aimed a comment at South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo which resulted in Sarfaraz being charged with an offence under the Code, namely;

“Engaging in any conduct (whether through the use of language, gestures or otherwise) which is likely to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify any reasonable person in the position of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, Umpire Support Personnel or any other person (including a spectator) on the basis of their race, religion, culture, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin.”

Sarfaraz will miss the remaining two matches of the ongoing ODI series as well as the first two matches of the T20I series to follow."