LONDON: The British government said Thursday it expected to see “clear and lasting evidence of positive progress” across English cricket after a damaging racism scandal rocked the sport.
Former spin bowler Azeem Rafiq accused Yorkshire of failing to deal adequately with the abuse he suffered while playing for the county side, saying he had been driven to thoughts of suicide.
A committee of lawmakers heard harrowing testimony from the Pakistan-born player in November, plus evidence from senior figures at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the former and current chairmen of Yorkshire.
The parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee issued its report in January, saying cricket must root out “deep-seated racism” or face losing public money.
The government made its formal response on Thursday, noting encouraging progress over recent months but calling for “clear and lasting evidence of positive progress across the sport.”
It agreed with the committee’s recommendation that future public funds for the sport should be dependent on “continuous, demonstrable progress in getting rid of racism in both the dressing rooms and on the stands.”
The government said public funding was already “explicitly linked” to the development and implementation of robust diversity and inclusion policies.
It also agreed that the ECB needed to be held to account and transparently report their progress against key indicators, saying the minister for sport had been meeting regularly with the ECB and clubs since November.
“We expect to see evidence of improvements across the sport and delivery on the ECB’s ambition to eradicate racism from cricket,” the government said.
“However if these changes are not made and implemented, the government reserves the right to intervene further.”
Yorkshire will hold an extraordinary general meeting on March 31 to vote on changes to the structure of the board following the racism scandal.
UK government demands progress on racism in cricket
https://arab.news/5tkpt
UK government demands progress on racism in cricket
- Former spin bowler Azeem Rafiq accused Yorkshire of failing to deal adequately with the abuse he suffered
- A committee of lawmakers heard harrowing testimony from the Pakistan-born player in November
DP World ILT20 stars power UAE’s spirited campaign at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- Sharafu’s 145-run haul, Waseem’s captain’s knock and Siddique’s 5/35 underline the DP World ILT20’s growing impact on UAE cricket
- Aryansh Sharma emerges as UAE’s breakout star, showcasing the strength of the DP World ILT20 pathway
DUBAI: The UAE’s participation at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 may have ended at the group stage on Feb. 18, but their competitive performances have underlined the steady rise of the national side on the global stage in recent years.
Across four high-intensity group matches, the UAE demonstrated composure against some of the most established teams in world cricket. Central to that progress was the influence of the DP World ILT20, whose environment has prepared UAE players to compete fearlessly against the sport’s biggest names.
Leading from the front was captain Muhammad Waseem. The MI Emirates player’s 66 off 45 balls against New Zealand — his highest score of the tournament — was a statement knock against elite opposition. The innings echoed the form that saw him secure the coveted Blue Belt as Best UAE Player for a fourth consecutive season in the DP World ILT20, where he amassed 370 runs in 13 innings as MI Emirates reached the Season 4 final.
Alishan Sharafu, who represents Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, emerged as the UAE’s leading run-scorer in the tournament. He compiled 145 runs in four matches, including a composed 55 off 47 against the New Zealand — his highest score. Sharafu was one of four UAE players to register a half-century in the tournament.
The bowling unit, too, carried a strong DP World ILT20 imprint. Junaid Siddique, who secured a high-value contract with Sharjah Warriorz at the historic Season 4 Player Auction, produced the tournament’s standout performance for the UAE. His sensational 5 for 35 against Canada at the Arun Jaitley Stadium dismantled the opposition and earned him player of the match honors.
Siddique finished as the UAE’s highest wicket-taker with seven scalps, capping a campaign that validated his status as one of the league’s premium signings.
Meanwhile, Haider Ali and left-arm pacer Muhammad Jawadullah — both regular features for Dubai Capitals — brought discipline and control to the attack, reinforcing the depth fostered within the league ecosystem. Also featuring in the UAE squad were Mayank Kumar of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Muhammad Farooq of Dubai Capitals, and Rohid Khan of MI Emirates.
Beyond the established names, the tournament also unveiled exciting prospects. Twenty-one-year-old Aryansh Sharma produced a defining moment with an unbeaten 74 in the five-wicket win over Canada, guiding the chase with poise and composure. Sohaib Khan emerged as the team’s third-highest run-getter with 132 runs, including a fluent 68 off 48 deliveries against Afghanistan national cricket team. These are players who will undoubtedly attract attention ahead of the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction.
The broader takeaway from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is the steady evolution of UAE cricket, with the Emirates side underlining how the DP World ILT20 is increasingly shaping players for the global stage rather than remaining just a domestic showcase.
