RASHID: VAUGHAN MADE THAT REMARK

claimed he was subjected to 10 years of racist bullying. Rashid, fresh from helping England to the T20 World Cup semi-finals, broke his silence to tell The Cricketer: “I wanted to concentrate as much as possible on my cricket and to avoid distractions to the detriment of the team.

“But I can confirm Azeem Rafiq’s recollection of Michael Vaughan’s comments to a group of us Asian players.”

Former England captain Vaughan, now one of the game’s most prominent pundits and broadcasters, hit back: “I categorically deny saying the words attributed to me by Azeem Rafiq and want to restate this publicly because the ‘you lot’ comment simply never happened.

“It is extremely upsetting that this completely false accusation has been made against me by a former team-mate, apparently supported by two other players. I remember the match clearly because it was the first time in Yorkshire’s history that four players of Asian heritage had been selected in the same team.

“It was an important milestone for the county and it was also a moment of pride for me personally. I made a point of shaking all four players’ hands that day because I recognised it was a significant moment.

“Given my view that the inclusion of Asian players in the Yorkshire team was a very positive and welcome development, it is inconceivable I would have made the derogatory comment attributed to me.

“To be confronted with this allegation 11 years after it has supposed to have happened is the worst thing I have ever experienced.”

Vaughan, 47, highlighted a passage in his autobiography saying Yorkshire’s increased representation from the Asian community “ought to be a good thing for our cricket”.

He added: “I have great sympathy for what Azeem Rafiq has gone through, but I hope everyone understands why I cannot allow this to go unchallenged or my reputation to be trashed unfairly.”

Last week’s edition of Vaughan’s Radio 5

Live show with Phil Tufnell was cancelled after an “editorial decision” by the BBC.