British-Pakistani cricketer, Azeem Rafique, made the headlines earlier thismonth when he accused Yorkshire County Cricket Club of deep-rootedinstitutional racism. Former Pakistani fast bowler, Rana Naved ul-Hasan hasbacked Azeem’s claim, saying he was witness to the systematic racism whileplaying for the club.
Rana Naved stated that he was a victim of discrimination as the homesupporters used to ‘hoot’ at him while he was playing for Yorkshire in 2008and 2009. He backed the statements made by his fellow cricketer, addingthat Azeem used to talk to him about such racist incidents.——————————
While talking to ESPNCricinfo Rana said, “I fully support what Azeem saidand this has been the case with me as well”.
I never spoke about it because, as foreigners, we were temporary andsomehow I managed to accept the way it is. There was systematic taunting.To us as overseas players from Asia, when you are not able to perform, thehome crowd which should be supporting us, instead started hooting and wouldtaunt us with racist slurs like ‘Paki’.
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Rana also played for Surrey and Derbyshire, but according to him, heexperienced such incidents at Yorkshire only. He stated that otherinternational players have also faced racism at other clubs.
Azeem Rafique stated last month that he contemplated suicide because of theracial abuse at Yorkshire. Following the statement, Yorkshire appointed anindependent law firm to investigate the allegations.
