City
Epaper

British-Pakistani cricketer forced to leave UK over racist abuse

By IANS | Updated: December 14, 2022 11:15 IST

London, Dec 14 Azeem Rafiq, a 31-year-old British-Pakistani former Yorkshire cricketer, has been forced to leave the UK ...

Open in App

London, Dec 14 Azeem Rafiq, a 31-year-old British-Pakistani former Yorkshire cricketer, has been forced to leave the UK after his allegations about institutional racism at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club (CCC) last year created a storm.

He did not disclose where he has relocated to.

However, speaking for the second time to a British parliamentary select committee, Rafiq said he has "been driven out of the country" by "threats and abuse".

He spoke of a man "defecating" in his garden. "At times, I've walked down the street fearing for my life," he said.

He told MPs he now receives "27/7 security" from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and accused the Yorkshire Post newspaper of being "responsible" for the insults he and his family have experienced since first, quite sensationally, appearing as a witness before the parliamentary committee in 2021.

The Yorkshire Post told media it had "applied the same rules of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism in seeking to tell all sides of the story".

The ECB said the latest hearing "demonstrates why widespread change in cricket is needed".

The Indian-origin Kamlesh Patel, who was appointed chairman of Yorkshire CCC after the scandal exploded last year, remarked his job has felt "relentless" since he took over. "I don't get where Azeem gets the strength to carry on."

The ECB admitted it was "appalled at the level of racist abuse" received by Patel and recognised "the pain this has caused him".

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Tags: ukLondonWales Cricket BoardKamlesh PatelPremier of saAdministrative capitalEnglish county cricket club yorkshireAzeem rafiqCounty cricket club yorkshireYorkshire county cricket club
Open in App

Related Stories

CricketChris Woakes Walks Out to Bat with Sling On as England Lose Ninth Wicket on Day 5 of ENG vs IND 5th Test (Watch Video)

CricketENG vs IND 5th Test Weather Forecast: Will Rain Play Spoilsport on Day 5 of England vs India at Oval in London?

CricketENG vs IND 5th Test Weather Forecast: Will Rain Play Spoilsport on Day 3 of England vs India at Oval in London? (VIDEO)

CricketENG vs IND 5th Test Weather Forecast: Will Rain Play Spoilsport on Day 2 of England vs India at Oval in London?

EntertainmentRakul Preet Singh Jets Off to London for Final Schedule of De De Pyaar De 2

International Realted Stories

International"Second Trump administration tilting towards Pakistan," says Internationl security expert

International"India feels like it's not being fully respected," says internationl security professor

InternationalSergey Lavrov, Marco Rubio discuss Putin-Trump summit over phone call

International"It's silly": Military aviation analyst on renewed warmth in US-Pak relationship

InternationalIsraeli probe finds Gaza hunger reports inflated, deaths misattributed