‘Asian players were racially abused at Yorkshire' : Rana Naved-ul-Hasan

[MenInG]

The former Pakistan bowler enjoyed spells with Sussex and Derbyshire but has revealed to Saj for isport that life at Headingley sometimes felt like ‘mental torture’

Former Pakistan bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has revealed to isport his experiences of systemic racial discrimination at Yorkshire during his time at the county following the startling allegations by Azeem Rafiq.

Rana, who represented Pakistan on 87 occasions, was part of the Yorkshire squad in 2008 and 2009 and has painted a worrying picture of race issues prevalent during his stint with the white rose county.

“My overriding memories of my time at Yorkshire aren’t very pleasant at all. When the results were good, everyone was happy with you, everybody wanted to chat with you and praise you, but when the results weren’t great or you hadn’t performed well in a match, then everyone from the coaching staff to even the administration staff in the office weren’t friendly at all.”

Racist abuse from sections of the crowd has been an issue in many sports and according to Rana it was a regular feature at some grounds, but brushed under the carpet.

“I recall sections of the crowd at Scarborough would give the Asian players in the Yorkshire side a hard time. When things weren’t going well the Asian players would be the ones who would cop a lot of abuse from members of the home support, some of which was racist. Everyone could hear it and see who was doing it, but nothing was ever done about it by the club.”

Rana’s description of the manner in which players of Asian descent were treated by the club’s administration and the alleged preferential treatment for some cricketers based on their ethnic background does raise serious concerns about how deep the issue ran inside Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

“We were playing at Scarborough and I went to my hotel room after the day’s play to find that the room literally only had enough space for a bed and my kit bag. I just thought all the rooms in the hotel were that small, but when I spoke with Ajmal Shahzad, Adil Rashid and Azeem Rafiq about my room, they said that when things don’t go well, then the Asian players in the squad are the ones who were targeted, given a hard time and mistreated so that they get disillusioned and leave the club. These types of incidents meant that at times playing for Yorkshire was mental torture.”

Being an overseas professional, Rana initially didn’t make much of the issues related to race at Yorkshire, but as time went on and based on what he observed, his opinion changed and the recent remarks by Azeem Rafiq have further strengthened his views.

“Initially I didn’t realise what was going on, but then when I started to speak with the other Asian players in the squad then it all started to resonate with me and I realised what was actually occurring within the club. What Azeem Rafiq has recently disclosed is absolutely correct and what he has said has brought back some of the issues that I encountered whilst playing there. What Azeem has stated is absolutely true and I echo what he has said. He has only stated facts as far as I am concerned.”

According to Rana his experience at Sussex, where he played at different times between 2005 and 2011, was “totally different” to what he endured at Yorkshire.

“We were like one big family at Sussex and I never felt like an overseas player there, instead I felt like one of their own homegrown players,” he said. “But playing for Yorkshire was an altogether different experience. At Yorkshire if I struggled in a match, the coaching staff would put me on the spot and say, ‘well you were doing fine for Sussex, why aren’t you doing so well here, what’s wrong with you?’ I felt under pressure to perform which I didn’t mind, but I felt that the Asian players were openly scrutinised more than the non-Asian players.”

One could question Rana for the reasons why he waited so long to bring such serious allegations to the fore but as he explained, it was a question of protecting his interests that prevented him from speaking out earlier.

“People will say why didn’t I talk about this at the time. Well the issue is that I am from a humble family, not very educated or very well-off and I could not speak up back then for fear of losing my contract and being sent packing back to Pakistan, so I just shut up and put up with it.”

The Azeem Rafiq allegations have led Yorkshire to undertake an investigation.

“I’d like to see Yorkshire County Cricket Club take a long, hard look at themselves after the investigation is complete and apologise to those who deserve an apology” added Rana. “The reputation of the club has suffered and I believe based on my experiences and what I saw during my time at the club they need to change for the better when it comes to their treatment of local Asian cricketers and overseas Asian cricketers in future.”

Yorkshire responded with the following statement: “Racism has no place in any part of society. We take these allegations very seriously and have engaged an independent law firm, Squire Patton Boggs, to conduct a thorough investigation which is currently under way. In addition, we have also appointed a sub-committee, led by Dr Samir Pathak, to review the findings of the investigation and provide advice on any further steps the club needs to take.

“We have committed to sharing recommendations which result from the investigation but as it is now under way we are unable to comment on specific matters currently.”

https://inews.co.uk/sport/cricket/r...racism-allegations-azeem-rafiq-cricket-659570

 

[Savak]

Why did he stay silent about it all this while?

 

[as-95]

Why did he stay silent about it all this while?

Did you even read the article?

I'll spell it out for you... Rana says that “People will say why didn’t I talk about this at the time. Well the issue is that I am from a humble family, not very educated or very well-off and I could not speak up back then for fear of losing my contract and being sent packing back to Pakistan, so I just shut up and put up with it.”

Unfortunately, people from poverty put up with alot of derogatory sh*t compared to someone bron from privelege. Any Pakistani should know this... Money talks and people in poverty will do anything to get their families out of a difficult situation. Even if it means enduring racial and sometimes physical abuse!

 

[Kenpachi]

Why did he stay silent about it all this while?

It’s quite common to stay quiet in relation to abuse you receive especially when there is a culture to dismiss these things casually.

At least he has spoken about it now and something may be done.

 

[MenInG]

There are a few worrying bits that were not included in the article.

It seems that despite being a well-respected and seasoned international cricketer, even Inzamam-ul-Haq wasn’t spared some harsh treatment during his time at Yorkshire in 2007, according to Rana:

“The issues and mistreatment weren’t just directed at the local Asian players, even a well-known player like the former captain of Pakistan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, suffered at their hands. Inzamam said to me that he was struggling for runs and at the time Martyn Moxon was Yorkshire’s Director of Professional Cricket. Inzamam was fasting and Moxon said to him that he should go to the gym as they needed some hard work from him. Inzamam told him that he was fasting as it was Ramadan and he wasn’t prepared to go to the gym at that time. However, Moxon insisted on Inzamam going to the gym and said to him that cricket should be his priority as it was his profession and he will not be given any preferential treatment just because it was Ramadan. Inzamam said to Moxon that he was not wanting preferential treatment, but as a Muslim he was required to fast so he would not go to the gym. After that incident Moxon rarely spoke with Inzamam during his stay at Yorkshire.”


Rana also had a bit to say about how Asian cricketers were unable to progress past the Club Cricket stage in Yorkshire:

“I played several seasons in the Bradford League and I was amazed at the quality of the Asian talent that was playing in that region. I was shocked when I looked at the number of excellent club cricketers from an Asian background who never made it to the County level. In fact, I asked some of the boys who I played alongside and against why they weren’t trying to play cricket professionally for Yorkshire. They all responded that it was a waste of time, as the County will never select them due to them being Asian and that they prefer non-Asian cricketers.”

 

[BreadPakoda]

Not surprised, its an obvious problem. You go anywhere in the world, you would notice some sort of discrimination against people of color, including, and many a time more, against South Asians.

 

[Saj]

“I played several seasons in the Bradford League and I was amazed at the quality of the Asian talent that was playing in that region. I was shocked when I looked at the number of excellent club cricketers from an Asian background who never made it to the County level. In fact, I asked some of the boys who I played alongside and against why they weren’t trying to play cricket professionally for Yorkshire. They all responded that it was a waste of time, as the County will never select them due to them being Asian and that they prefer non-Asian cricketers.”

I can echo what Rana has said about progress from club cricket to county cricket for Asian cricketers.

I've spoken to some myself, several who were very good players, but never got the chance to play for Yorkshire. In fact many didn't even bother to attend trials due to the experience of their Asian friends or relatives.

It's a big hole in Yokshire's recruitment policy and a huge loss for them.

 

[Slog]

There are a few worrying bits that were not included in the article.

It seems that despite being a well-respected and seasoned international cricketer, even Inzamam-ul-Haq wasn’t spared some harsh treatment during his time at Yorkshire in 2007, according to Rana:

“The issues and mistreatment weren’t just directed at the local Asian players, even a well-known player like the former captain of Pakistan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, suffered at their hands. Inzamam said to me that he was struggling for runs and at the time Martyn Moxon was Yorkshire’s Director of Professional Cricket. Inzamam was fasting and Moxon said to him that he should go to the gym as they needed some hard work from him. Inzamam told him that he was fasting as it was Ramadan and he wasn’t prepared to go to the gym at that time. However, Moxon insisted on Inzamam going to the gym and said to him that cricket should be his priority as it was his profession and he will not be given any preferential treatment just because it was Ramadan. Inzamam said to Moxon that he was not wanting preferential treatment, but as a Muslim he was required to fast so he would not go to the gym. After that incident Moxon rarely spoke with Inzamam during his stay at Yorkshire.”


Rana also had a bit to say about how Asian cricketers were unable to progress past the Club Cricket stage in Yorkshire:

“I played several seasons in the Bradford League and I was amazed at the quality of the Asian talent that was playing in that region. I was shocked when I looked at the number of excellent club cricketers from an Asian background who never made it to the County level. In fact, I asked some of the boys who I played alongside and against why they weren’t trying to play cricket professionally for Yorkshire. They all responded that it was a waste of time, as the County will never select them due to them being Asian and that they prefer non-Asian cricketers.”

The second part is true. I read that in grassroots cricket Asians form majority but that doesn’t translate to county.

The inzamam part I don’t know. You can’t skip
Training due to religion. Now I don’t know if inzamam was making up for it at other times but this is not a black and white scenario.

 

[Savak]

I wonder why did Inzi not speak about the alleged incident if true? More importantly, why did he not react back then when he was a senior and seasoned veteran in 2007?

 

[Bewal Express]

I can echo what Rana has said about progress from club cricket to county cricket for Asian cricketers.

I've spoken to some myself, several who were very good players, but never got the chance to play for Yorkshire. In fact many didn't even bother to attend trials due to the experience of their Asian friends or relatives.

It's a big hole in Yokshire's recruitment policy and a huge loss for them.

But if that was the case then surely some of these guys would have made some impression somewhere else. Not one of the players that hadnt been picked by Yorkshire has made it anywhere else. The players that have made it are/were in the YS team. There is no doubt that discrimination exist, but to what extent at that level is debateable.

 

[Zaz]

But if that was the case then surely some of these guys would have made some impression somewhere else. Not one of the players that hadnt been picked by Yorkshire has made it anywhere else. The players that have made it are/were in the YS team. There is no doubt that discrimination exist, but to what extent at that level is debateable.

Theres thousands of pakistani origin cricketers that play in the yorkshire leagues and this has been the case since the 70s

Only a dozen or so have ever made it to the top and played for yorkshire Its definetly not a lack of talent More not being given the opportunity

 

[Bhaijaan]

Sachin can be blamed for most of racial abuse at Yorkshire. When he joined Yorkshire as an 18 year old, he was expected to nurture young talent around him but he failed to do so and as a result Yorkshiremen kept a life long grudge against Asians.

 

[Saj]

But if that was the case then surely some of these guys would have made some impression somewhere else. Not one of the players that hadnt been picked by Yorkshire has made it anywhere else. The players that have made it are/were in the YS team. There is no doubt that discrimination exist, but to what extent at that level is debateable.

Well some live locally.
Some have family locally.
Some will not have wanted to move from the area.
Others probably felt it was a waste of time at other Counties too.

 

[Bewal Express]

Theres thousands of pakistani origin cricketers that play in the yorkshire leagues and this has been the case since the 70s

Only a dozen or so have ever made it to the top and played for yorkshire Its definetly not a lack of talent More not being given the opportunity

I am denying there is talent but with 17 other counties, surely they would have made it somewhere. Even my lad had trials at Leicester after failing to make it at the local county and its not difficult to get trials. The fact was that he wasnt good enough.

 

[Bewal Express]

Well some live locally.
Some have family locally.
Some will not have wanted to move from the area.
Others probably felt it was a waste of time at other Counties too.

My son felt hard done by the local county and with a few phone calls, he had a trial at Leicester. In the end he wasnt good enough. My own feeling is that rather than racial discrimination, counties are heavily biased towards private school kids. The selectors seemed to know their parents and all moved in the same social circles.

 

[Slog]

Didn’t we have a die hard Yorkshire fan [MENTION=130243]MarkCooper[/MENTION]. What’s his take on this

 

[Zaz]

My son felt hard done by the local county and with a few phone calls, he had a trial at Leicester. In the end he wasnt good enough. My own feeling is that rather than racial discrimination, counties are heavily biased towards private school kids. The selectors seemed to know their parents and all moved in the same social circles.

N thats the diffculty in breaking in You have to be an exceptional asian kid to even have the chance

The asian kids have to be twice as good to get the same opportunity Call it what you like racial or class discrimination

 

[Saj]

My son felt hard done by the local county and with a few phone calls, he had a trial at Leicester. In the end he wasnt good enough. My own feeling is that rather than racial discrimination, counties are heavily biased towards private school kids. The selectors seemed to know their parents and all moved in the same social circles.

I agree about private schools having good links with County sides and there being a clique, but I also believe that racial discrimination and perhaps a racist mindset amongst some County coaches or scouts is definitely present.

 

[Bewal Express]

N thats the diffculty in breaking in You have to be an exceptional asian kid to even have the chance

The asian kids have to be twice as good to get the same opportunity Call it what you like racial or class discrimination

I am not sure about twice as good but from my experience, if the white kid and and the Asian kid are equal ability, then the chances are that the white kid will get chosen. But as I said, the single biggest factor is whether they went to state or private school.

 

[Indiafan]

My son felt hard done by the local county and with a few phone calls, he had a trial at Leicester. In the end he wasnt good enough. My own feeling is that rather than racial discrimination, counties are heavily biased towards private school kids. The selectors seemed to know their parents and all moved in the same social circles.

And it does not stop at just breaking it. There are so many factors stopping an Asian kid from succeeding even after breaking in. Isolation, bullying, no encouragement

 

[Varun]

This club needs to be disbanded for its own good. Fire everybody in management without exception.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Tendulkar and Pujara have played for yorkshire. I wonder what they have to say.

 

[Giannis]

Tendulkar and Pujara have played for yorkshire. I wonder what they have to say.

Even if they had good experiences it doesn't negate the experiences of the other Asians that played there.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

My son felt hard done by the local county and with a few phone calls, he had a trial at Leicester. In the end he wasnt good enough. My own feeling is that rather than racial discrimination, counties are heavily biased towards private school kids. The selectors seemed to know their parents and all moved in the same social circles.

I agree about private schools having good links with County sides and there being a clique, but I also believe that racial discrimination and perhaps a racist mindset amongst some County coaches or scouts is definitely present.

I would assume that private school kids are mostly white?

 

[Mamoon]

N thats the diffculty in breaking in You have to be an exceptional asian kid to even have the chance

The asian kids have to be twice as good to get the same opportunity Call it what you like racial or class discrimination

I have heard this before as well. An Asian player has to be twice as good as a white kid to break into the system.

However, if that was really true, why don’t we see it in country cricket and international cricket?

Why isn’t Moeen Ali twice as good as Ben Stokes?

Why weren’t Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah twice as good as Joe Root?

Why wasn’t Varun Chopra twice as good as Alaistair Cook?

Why weren’t Sajid Mahmood and Kabir Ali twice as good as James Anderson and Stuart Broad?

Surely if you have to be exceptional as an Asian kid to break into the system and be twice as good as a white kid to get a chance, why aren’t the Asian players far better than their white counterparts in county cricket and English cricket?

If what you said was remotely true, the Asian players who broke into the system should have been England’s best players by a long shot, but the vast majority of times these Asian players turn out to be failures who fizzle out because of poor performances and weak mentality.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Even if they had good experiences it doesn't negate the experiences of the other Asians that played there.

Who are the other asian players and from which country?

 

[Giannis]

Who are the other asian players and from which country?

Most of the Asians complaining of racism in Yorkshire are BRITISH Asians, get with the program joshila. Maybe try reading the OP before you comment.

 

[Bewal Express]

I would assume that private school kids are mostly white?

Yes, the vast majority were but there were some from desi backgrounds but not many

 

[Saj]

Going back to when I was at school. There were links between the private schools and the county sides, where the coaches and sports teachers at the schools were old friends and would recommend kids to the counties.

I went for a trial and it was a total farce, the county side had already been told which players to look out for and they were given a proper chance whereas the rest of us not from private schools, or who did not have connections were given an over or two and sent in at the end of the innings.

 

[silentkiller187]

Going back to when I was at school. There were links between the private schools and the county sides, where the coaches and sports teachers at the schools were old friends and would recommend kids to the counties.

I went for a trial and it was a total farce, the county side had already been told which players to look out for and they were given a proper chance whereas the rest of us not from private schools, or who did not have connections were given an over or two and sent in at the end of the innings.

I remember our school team made up of 11 immigrants, the coach hardly bothered arranging training for us, we would just turn up and play, and we played very well because most of us played for fun outside of school. The school tried their hardest to incorporate 4 or 5 white players into the team (same guys played in football, rugby basketball, athletics teams), they had no clue how to even hold a bat but were given ample opportunity to make the team, as they were considered "athletic".

It was no surprise none of us were ever put forward for county trials any time they came around because we were "not good enough" even though we would regularly go the season unbeaten as a team.

This was in a normal state school i can only imagine what would go on in private schools and clubs, let alone within the county circuit.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

People who haven't lived in minority situations have no idea of racism.

All they have to do is look at minorities around themselves and see how those people live and behave, how they are treated, joked with and the very visible boundaries they never can cross.

Often majorities will end up justifying the racism on the victims' own inadequacies. Happens everywhere.

 

[Saj]

I remember our school team made up of 11 immigrants, the coach hardly bothered arranging training for us, we would just turn up and play, and we played very well because most of us played for fun outside of school. The school tried their hardest to incorporate 4 or 5 white players into the team (same guys played in football, rugby basketball, athletics teams), they had no clue how to even hold a bat but were given ample opportunity to make the team, as they were considered "athletic".

It was no surprise none of us were ever put forward for county trials any time they came around because we were "not good enough" even though we would regularly go the season unbeaten as a team.

This was in a normal state school i can only imagine what would go on in private schools and clubs, let alone within the county circuit.

This is fairly typical really and something I have heard from many people.

My cousin was a very good cricketer and went for trials for a County when he was 15. He told me that when he went there, parents were greeting the scouts on first name terms, shaking hands with them and asking how each other's families were. He knew then it would be a tough task and despite doing very well in 3 trial matches he was told that the County were not interested.

 

[Robert]

I remember our school team made up of 11 immigrants, the coach hardly bothered arranging training for us, we would just turn up and play, and we played very well because most of us played for fun outside of school. The school tried their hardest to incorporate 4 or 5 white players into the team (same guys played in football, rugby basketball, athletics teams), they had no clue how to even hold a bat but were given ample opportunity to make the team, as they were considered "athletic".

It was no surprise none of us were ever put forward for county trials any time they came around because we were "not good enough" even though we would regularly go the season unbeaten as a team.

This was in a normal state school i can only imagine what would go on in private schools and clubs, let alone within the county circuit.

Utterly shocked by this.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Going back to when I was at school. There were links between the private schools and the county sides, where the coaches and sports teachers at the schools were old friends and would recommend kids to the counties.

I went for a trial and it was a total farce, the county side had already been told which players to look out for and they were given a proper chance whereas the rest of us not from private schools, or who did not have connections were given an over or two and sent in at the end of the innings.

I remember our school team made up of 11 immigrants, the coach hardly bothered arranging training for us, we would just turn up and play, and we played very well because most of us played for fun outside of school. The school tried their hardest to incorporate 4 or 5 white players into the team (same guys played in football, rugby basketball, athletics teams), they had no clue how to even hold a bat but were given ample opportunity to make the team, as they were considered "athletic".

It was no surprise none of us were ever put forward for county trials any time they came around because we were "not good enough" even though we would regularly go the season unbeaten as a team.

This was in a normal state school i can only imagine what would go on in private schools and clubs, let alone within the county circuit.

These stories are more convincing than theoretical arguments. What years were they?

Saj, you could try and work - or ask your media contacts to work- on a series of stories (or even a book) that comprehensively covers the experience of Asian/ African origin kids trying to make it in cricket.

I guess some stuff must have been written, but with stories like the above it could be a hell of a write up.

 

[silentkiller187]

These stories are more convincing than theoretical arguments. What years were they?

Saj, you could try and work - or ask your media contacts to work- on a series of stories (or even a book) that comprehensively covers the experience of Asian/ African origin kids trying to make it in cricket.

I guess some stuff must have been written, but with stories like the above it could be a hell of a write up.

My story was from around the early 2000's so not even so long ago. The problem is a lot of the boys were disheartened and we could see the discrimination, but who do you turn to, you complain to the school but they will say we put you in the team, you complain to the counties, and all the coaches , the bosses the board members will laugh you of the ground. There must have been thousands like me who experienced this at an early level and thought you know what, this is not worth the hassle and they fall out of love with the game etc.

i have never been an advocate of things like the rooney rule for example, where there have to be x number of people of color interviewed to ensure inclusivity, that will lead to problems like the SA team for example players being chosen on color rather than merit. But i am pretty sure beyond doubt if the school/club system was fairer at local level a lot more POC would get opportunities to showcase their skills and a few more would break through.

One thing i will say is i never experienced Racism to the level of Rafiq, i come from down south so maybe attitudes are different, it was more systematic cultural discrimination in the background,or what some people like to call "old school mentality" , you see it in all walks of elitist life, even in our government today, do favors for the tories join the club kind of thing, so many wont even term it as racism.

 

[Saj]

These stories are more convincing than theoretical arguments. What years were they?

Saj, you could try and work - or ask your media contacts to work- on a series of stories (or even a book) that comprehensively covers the experience of Asian/ African origin kids trying to make it in cricket.

I guess some stuff must have been written, but with stories like the above it could be a hell of a write up.

I actually told a couple of the current Sky commentators of my experiences and the similar experiences of friends and relatives. They weren't surprised at all and suggested that they had heard this sort of stuff from many Asian guys.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

My story was from around the early 2000's so not even so long ago................

I actually told a couple of the current Sky commentators of my experiences and the similar experiences of friends and relatives. They weren't surprised at all and suggested that they had heard this sort of stuff from many Asian guys.

Cheers gents. I think more stories of this kind (ie experiences of people before they get into professional cricket) need to come out to make a real impact.

Given better overall nutrition, healthcare and quality of life (comparative) in England/ Wales versus Pakistan/ India, I wonder how many Asians have been lost to the game who could have gone international with more support.

 

[Varun]

English county cricket is more of a finishing school for the Sky commentary box than it is for their perennially 5th ranked team.

 

[Saj]

Moeen Ali's thoughts on racism in cricket and the lack of Asian cricketers coming through the system in the UK

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...eople-do-write-you-off-quicker-quot-Moeen-Ali

 

[James]

Huge issues in English cricket with this.... needs to be exposed more widely.

 

[Realromeo]

This is disgusting.

 

[Saj]

Huge issues in English cricket with this.... needs to be exposed more widely.

Well let's see what the committee uncovers and reports.

Hope it's not just brushed under the carpet.

 

[Saj]

Hearing that some won't speak to the inquiry due to repercussions and they want to speak anonymously.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Hearing that some won't speak to the inquiry due to repercussions and they want to speak anonymously.

Inquiry should call Tendulkar Pujara as well. They are asians and wouldn't face any repercussions.

 

[MenInG]

Inquiry should call Tendulkar Pujara as well. They are asians and wouldn't face any repercussions.

I doubt if SRT would have been abused due to his stature. Pujara maybe.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I doubt if SRT would have been abused due to his stature. Pujara maybe.

SRT was there in 1992, wasn't the Star he became later.. Probably the first asian to play for Yorkshire. If his testimony can nail this, he should be asked to testify. Pujara too should be asked.

 

[Saj]

SRT was there in 1992, wasn't the Star he became later.. Probably the first asian to play for Yorkshire. If his testimony can nail this, he should be asked to testify. Pujara too should be asked.

You live in cloud cuckoo land if you think most overseas players want to talk about this.

Most just take their money from county cricket and run.

There are rumours that Inzi had some issues at Yorkshire, but he's bottling speaking about it.

 

[cricketjoshila]

You live in cloud cuckoo land if you think most overseas players want to talk about this.

Most just take their money from county cricket and run.

There are rumours that Inzi had some issues at Yorkshire, but he's bottling speaking about it.

Inzi,SRT,Pujara are really not in the need of any county money. They are/were big international stars. Someone like SRT probably made more money in a year than his county.

These people need to come out and speak. Because they have immense credibility and respect. Secondly they're the ones who would be least affected by any county repercussions.

Racism, esp systematic has to be stopped.

 

[Smbhayi]

There are a few worrying bits that were not included in the article.

It seems that despite being a well-respected and seasoned international cricketer, even Inzamam-ul-Haq wasn’t spared some harsh treatment during his time at Yorkshire in 2007, according to Rana:

“The issues and mistreatment weren’t just directed at the local Asian players, even a well-known player like the former captain of Pakistan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, suffered at their hands. Inzamam said to me that he was struggling for runs and at the time Martyn Moxon was Yorkshire’s Director of Professional Cricket. Inzamam was fasting and Moxon said to him that he should go to the gym as they needed some hard work from him. Inzamam told him that he was fasting as it was Ramadan and he wasn’t prepared to go to the gym at that time. However, Moxon insisted on Inzamam going to the gym and said to him that cricket should be his priority as it was his profession and he will not be given any preferential treatment just because it was Ramadan. Inzamam said to Moxon that he was not wanting preferential treatment, but as a Muslim he was required to fast so he would not go to the gym. After that incident Moxon rarely spoke with Inzamam during his stay at Yorkshire.”




“I played several seasons in the Bradford League and I was amazed at the quality of the Asian talent that was playing in that region. I was shocked when I looked at the number of excellent club cricketers from an Asian background who never made it to the County level. In fact, I asked some of the boys who I played alongside and against why they weren’t trying to play cricket professionally for Yorkshire. They all responded that it was a waste of time, as the County will never select them due to them being Asian and that they prefer non-Asian cricketers.”

Totally Inzi's fault there.. he shouldnt have gone there if it's collide with Ramadan.. Club owners obviously wants their players works hard..

 

[Bigboii]

Sachin can be blamed for most of racial abuse at Yorkshire. When he joined Yorkshire as an 18 year old, he was expected to nurture young talent around him but he failed to do so and as a result Yorkshiremen kept a life long grudge against Asians.

Yorkshiremen should just be happy, proud that SRT played for their club...

Imagine holding a grudge against jordan, lebron, wasim, babe ruth or other greats because they didn't develop the youngsters that would be stupid anywhere in the world

 

[Giannis]

Inquiry should call Tendulkar Pujara as well. They are asians and wouldn't face any repercussions.

This is the dumbest thing I've read, no two people are going to have the same experiences. Even if Sachin and Pujara didn't have the same experience as the other Asian players, that doesn't negate their stories. Also most of the victims of Yorkshire's racism were lesser known BRITISH born Asian players, not rich international superstars.

 

[James]

I imagine that Tendulkar was treated with the usual veneration. He probably isn’t the best person to ask.

This mainly seems to have affected the lads who came through the youth system. (or were prevented from coming through, as the case may be.)

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

[/b]

I have heard this before as well. An Asian player has to be twice as good as a white kid to break into the system.

However, if that was really true, why don’t we see it in country cricket and international cricket?

Why isn’t Moeen Ali twice as good as Ben Stokes?

Why weren’t Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah twice as good as Joe Root?

Why wasn’t Varun Chopra twice as good as Alaistair Cook?

Why weren’t Sajid Mahmood and Kabir Ali twice as good as James Anderson and Stuart Broad?

Surely if you have to be exceptional as an Asian kid to break into the system and be twice as good as a white kid to get a chance, why aren’t the Asian players far better than their white counterparts in county cricket and English cricket?

If what you said was remotely true, the Asian players who broke into the system should have been England’s best players by a long shot, but the vast majority of times these Asian players turn out to be failures who fizzle out because of poor performances and weak mentality.

I don't think we necessarily see the best Asian players filtering through to England. Those will generally be the guys who are prepared to play in an all white team, and mix in those circles. I imagine a lot of very good players just like to hang around in their own social circles and play local league. When I was playing we used to get an overseas pro coming to play for us for nothing just because he wanted to enjoy being in a familiar environment.

I imagine there will be some damn good players who don't even take the step to join the county teams and make the grade. There's not really much England can do about that though. Counties like Yorkshire need to make the place a more welcoming atmosphere so lots of their local Asians want to be a part of it.