Rafiq left with 'mixed emotions' after ICEC report details 'widespread' discrimination

The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published its findings from a two-year investigation on Tuesday, concluding that racism – alongside other forms of discrimination such as sexism and elitism – was "entrenched" in the sport.

Rafiq, who played for Yorkshire over two spells between 2008 and 2018 before becoming a whistleblower over the racism he faced while with the county, spoke of his "sadness and anger" following the release of the report, though he remains hopeful of a brighter future for the sport.

"I got briefed yesterday [on the report's findings]," Rafiq told Stats Perform. "[It is] mixed emotions, you know, a bit of sadness, a bit of anger.

"Naturally, I'm a human being, and the question I ask myself is, 'why have I had to go through the mill when this data is there in numbers for everyone to see?'

"I just wanted to thank the commissioner Cindy Butts and her team. It's been an important piece of work. They've stayed strong and they've really given cricket an opportunity and I just want to thank them.

"For over 4,000 people who built up the courage to talk about their experiences, I hope this gives them a bit of closure.

"A lot of my experiences are about race. But there's a lot in there, a lot about elitism, classism, sexism, misogyny. It's important to understand that this is way, way, way wider than my experiences."

My response to ICEC report pic.twitter.com/XV3L5Qwmzu

— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) June 27, 2023

Rafiq revealed he was frustrated by the lack of response from his former team-mates and other players, saying: "If I'm being very honest, I think the players have shown exactly where the game is in terms of a lack of acceptance.

"These are people that I know very closely, and I've not heard a single thing. It's been upsetting me. I'm not going to lie.

"The players are the role models. The players are the big names and they need to drive this. It needs to be with actions as opposed to PR initiatives.

"There's a lot going on behind the scenes that's been tough, and one of the things is fellow players and their lack of acceptance of how we, as people of colour, have suffered.

"Even this morning, I read an article from Michael Atherton, using his platform to try and undermine, downplay the abuse that we've all suffered.