Rafiq’s racism claims backed
FORMER Pakistani cricketer Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan has said he agreed with “each and every statement of Azeem Rafiq” and that “many Asian players were affected” by Yorkshire County’s “bad attitude”.
Rafiq, who accused Yorkshire of institutional racism, gave evidence last month alleging he had been subjected to racist language. He left the club in 2018.
A number of people have given evidence to the ongoing independent investigation into charges of institutional racism at the club, including Naveed-ul-Hassan. He played for Yorkshire in 2008 and 2009.
Both Naveed-ulHassan and former West Indies fast bowler Tino Best, who spent a summer with the club in 2010, have spoken publicly about their concerns but Rafiq has also been supported by two previous staff members.
Rafiq told the investigation he had faced several difficult moments at Yorkshire.
According to Taj Butt, who worked with the Yorkshire Foundation for three years from 2014, players at the club called every person of colour ‘Steve’.
“Even Indian Test player Cheteshwar Pujara, who joined as an overseas professional, was called Steve because they could not pronounce his name,” he said.
Tony Bowry, who served as cultural diversity officer at the Yorkshire Cricket Board between 1996 and 2011, claims the environment for young players was a testing one.
Rafiq has welcomed the early progress made by the game’s governing body and the commitment from Yorkshire to improve moving forward.