HIGHLIGHTS

• As a friend, it’s hard to see Rafiq hurting, says Joe Root
• Azeem Rafiq, a player of Pakistani origin had captained the England U-19 side
• Rafiq was Yorkshire’s youngest-ever captain when he led team in in 2012

England men’s Test team captain Joe Root on Tuesday said that it is hard to see his former Yorkshire teammate Azeem Rafiq ‘hurting’ following his allegations of ‘institutional racism’ at the cricket club.

Rafiq, a player of Pakistani origin who captained the England Under-19 side, had alleged racist abuse at Yorkshire stretching back to 2008.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Root called for English cricket to end all forms of discrimination and said it was hard to see his former Yorkshire team mate ‘hurting.’

“I can’t really speculate or comment too much on a report I have not seen. But, as a former team mate and friend, it’s hard to see Azeem hurting as he is,” said Root.

“More than anything, it just shows that there is a lot of work we have to do in the game… it’s a societal issue in my opinion… as a sport, we have got to keep trying to find ways of making sure this isn’t a conversation that keeps happening.”

Root added that the England team will wear anti-discrimination t-shirts and observe “a moment of unity” ahead of the third test against India at Headingley.

“We have to keep showing the sport is for everyone and that we are desperate to make everyone feel welcome to it. It’s such a brilliant sport and should be open to everyone,” he said.

Yorkshire said on Thursday apologised to Rafiq after an independent investigation found that historically he was the ‘victim of inappropriate behaviour.’

Rafiq was Yorkshire’s youngest-ever captain when he led the team in a Twenty20 match in 2012.