Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Former England U-19 captain says he was close to 'committing suicide' due to racism at Yorkshire

FORMER England Under-19 captain Azeem Rafiq has revealed that he was on the verge of "committing suicide" during his stint the Yorkshire county side, accusing the club of being "institutionally racist".

The Karachi-born off-spinner, who had also captained the club, said he felt like an outsider and lost "faith in humanity" after the its board turned a blind eye to his complaints of racist behaviour during his stint from 2016 to 2018.


"I know how close I was to committing suicide during my time at Yorkshire," Rafiq told ESPNCricinfo.

"I was living my family's dream as a professional cricketer, but inside I was dying. I was dreading going to work. I was in pain every day.

"There were times I did things to try and fit in that, as a Muslim, I now look back on and regret. I'm not proud of it at all. But as soon as I stopped trying to fit in, I was an outsider."

The 29-year-old said the "institutional racism" was rampant, which was yet to respond to the allegations.

"There were no coaches on the staff from a similar background who understood what it was like. It's obvious to anyone who cares that there's a problem," said Rafiq.

"Do I think there is institutional racism? It's at its peak in my opinion. It's worse than it's ever been.

"I believe the club is institutionally racist, and I don't believe they are prepared to acknowledge the fact or willing to change."

Rafiq recalled a few instances when the club failed to take any steps against racist behaviour, including when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) disciplined its player for an on-field outburst.

"But instead of the club disciplining him, a board member employed Luis Suarez's lawyers to ensure he got off. What was I meant to think of that?" he asked.

Rafiq also claimed Yorkshire used the death of his stillborn son to release him from the club.

"I took my son straight from the hospital to the funeral," he said. "Yorkshire told me they would look after me professionally and personally. But all I heard after that was a short e-mail. I was told I was being released. I felt it was used against me, really.

"The way it was done was horrible. It killed me for a while. I lost all trust in anything and anyone. I'd spent the best part of a decade around those people. I thought they had my best interests at heart. I lost faith in humanity."

Rafiq said a club member recently called him, and a report based on his observations will be filed.

"Someone called me a week or so ago. It was made very clear that the conversation we had was as friends and not in any official capacity," he added. "It now seems it was an attempt to show they were doing something. I feel quite misled, to be honest."

More For You

martha-jane-cannary

Amber Heard embraces a new identity as she steps away from the Hollywood spotlight

Getty Images

Did Amber Heard change her name to escape Hollywood for good?

Amber Heard has left her Hollywood life behind, embracing a fresh start in Spain under a new identity—Martha Jane Cannary. This transformation comes after years of intense public scrutiny, particularly following her highly publicised legal battles with ex-husband Johnny Depp. Now, she seems determined to carve out a new, quieter existence, far from the relentless media circus that once defined her life.

But why the name Martha Jane Cannary? The choice is no coincidence. It was the real name of Calamity Jane, the legendary frontierswoman known for her defiant spirit, independence, and refusal to conform to societal norms. Some speculate that Heard sees herself as a modern-day version of this rebellious figure, someone who has faced public trials and emerged on her own terms. Others believe the name change is a strategic move, allowing her to detach from her past and reinvent herself in a more private setting. Either way, it seems like a conscious effort to shed her former identity and embrace a new chapter.

Keep ReadingShow less
From heirlooms to high fashion : India's top 5 jewellery icons shaping global luxury

Celebrating the Masters Who Are Shaping India’s Jewellery Legacy on the Global Stage

India’s top 5 jewellery icons redefining high fashion and global luxury in 2025

There was a time when Indian jewellery was synonymous with heritage—something passed down through generations, worn at weddings, and locked away in velvet-lined boxes. Today, it’s a global phenomenon, dazzling on the world’s biggest fashion runways, red carpets, and luxury storefronts. From Manhattan’s high-fashion districts to Middle Eastern opulence, Indian jewellery designers are no longer confined to the subcontinent’s glittering bazaars. They are redefining luxury, one exquisite creation at a time. Their journey is not just about adornment; it’s a celebration of India’s rich heritage but reimagined for the world.

Indian jewellery, redefining global luxuryGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Boishakhi Mela 2025

A burst of colour, culture, and celebration lighting up Brick Lane for Pohela Boishakh

iStock

Boishakhi Mela 2025: London’s biggest Bengali extravaganza you can't miss!

If you happen to be in London’s Brick Lane this April 14, get ready because you’re about to step into a world where colours dance, music electrifies, and the aroma of sizzling street food wraps around you like a warm cosy embrace. The Boishakhi Mela, Europe’s largest Bengali festival, is back, and this year, it’s pulling out all the stops.


Keep ReadingShow less
Champions Trophy

The tournament, considered the second most significant in one-day cricket after the World Cup, will run until 9 March. (Photo: Getty Images)

Champions Trophy to begin after India-Pakistan standoff

THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY starts on Wednesday, following a build-up marked by a venue split between Pakistan and the UAE and calls for England to boycott their match against Afghanistan.

The tournament, considered the second most significant in one-day cricket after the World Cup, will run until 9 March.

Keep ReadingShow less
Are men secretly the more romantic gender? The surprising truth about emotional needs!

Men’s emotional depth in romance: A closer look at the unseen side of love and emotional connection

Getty Images

Are men secretly the more romantic gender? The surprising truth about emotional needs!

When we think of romance, it's easy to picture women swooning over love letters, roses, and candlelit dinners. Pop culture has long painted women as the more emotional and romantic gender, while men are often depicted as more stoic or indifferent. But what if this narrative is turned upside down? Recent research suggests that men might actually be the more romantic sex, not in how they express it, but in how deeply they value and depend on romantic relationships.

But let me tell you, the idea that men are more romantic than women isn't all about grand gestures or dreamy poetic declarations. It's about the emotional weight men place on romantic partnerships. Studies show that men tend to seek out and stay in steady relationships, not just for companionship, but for emotional survival. Unlike women, who often have a broad support system outside of romance that includes friends, family, and colleagues, men tend to rely heavily on their partners for emotional intimacy and support.

Keep ReadingShow less