Canada shocks Ireland to secure historic first T20 World Cup win

Azeem Rafiq’s new book, “It’s not banter, its racism,” has sparked controversy and debate following his appearance at the Hay Festival last week. The former cricketer shared his experiences of racism in the sport, shedding light on the challenges he and his family have faced.

During the panel session at the festival, Rafiq discussed the lack of Muslim representation in cricket and pointed to the prevalence of alcohol in the sport as a possible barrier to participation. His comments, particularly the headline “Boozy culture pushes away Muslim cricketers, says Azeem Rafiq,” ignited a firestorm of criticism and personal attacks in the comments section of a news report.

Many accused Rafiq of trying to change British culture and society, while others dismissed him as a bitter and failed professional cricketer. Despite the backlash, Rafiq remains steadfast in his belief that cricket has a real problem with racism that needs to be addressed.

In his book, Rafiq emphasizes the importance of education, opportunity, and accountability in tackling racism in cricket. He believes that progress can be made swiftly if there is acceptance of the issue and a commitment to change.

As the debate rages on, Rafiq’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by minority athletes in the world of sports. His courage in speaking out against racism and discrimination is a call to action for the cricketing community and society at large to confront these issues head-on.