Pakistani-origin cricketer Azeem Rafiq to leave England due to abuse and threats

Azeem Rafiq, whose allegations of racism at Yorkshire triggered chaos in English cricket, is set to leave the country to safeguard his family from abuse and threats.

The 31-year-old’s family moved to the UK from Pakistan after a business partner of his father was murdered following a bungled kidnapping attempt. The ex-Yorkshire spinner raised allegations of institutional racism and bullying in September 2020 during his stint with Yorkshire.

Rafiq's allegations followed a series of reviews conducted by the England Cricket Board and it led to a wide array of changes in the club.

Rafiq decides to leave England

The county club and several individuals were charged in June this year by the England and Wales Cricket Board. An investigation was made by the governing body into how the county dealt with racism allegations. Rafiq had spoken against the club over racism following which he has been subjected to ‘threats, attacks and intimidation’.

“From the moment I spoke out about my experiences at YCCC, my family and I have been subjected to threats, attacks and intimidation,” Rafiq wrote on Twitter. Absolutely no individual or their family should be made to feel unsafe, and I urge people to respect that,” said Rafiq in a tweet earlier this year.

From the moment I spoke out about my experiences at YCCC, my family and I have been subjected to threats, attacks & intimidation

Absolutely no individual or their family should be made to feel unsafe & I urge people to respect that

— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) June 29, 2022

Sad reality of speaking out https://t.co/3ujEmYaJyd

— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) October 13, 2022

CCTV footage also captured an individual defecating in the garden of his parents’ residence, while a masked person was seen roaming around the property in another clip. An official investigation is underway by the police to probe the matter.

The ex-spinner made 39 First-Class appearances for Yorkshire during his professional career. The incidents shared by the cricketer have led to a massive uproar in English cricket. The former Yorkshire spinner is due to move overseas in the near future along with his family.

Rafiq was among five current and former players reprimanded by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) for social media posts classified as ‘racist’ in nature. The ex-cricketer issued an apology following the announcement of the disciplinary action by the board.