Racism has come to the fore yet again on the cricket field with Aseem Rafiq recently alleging Asian players, including him, being subjected to targeted verbal attacks at Yorkshire county cricket club. What is even more shocking is the involvement of some international cricketers; like Michael Vaughan, Tim Bresnan etc; in the unsavoury episode. The revelation by Rafique would give an impression that such ugly things are exclusive to white cricketers. However, the rot runs much deeper with some Asian cricketers also indulging in racist slurs. Hence, it would not be inappropriate to recount some of the instances when racist remarks tarnished the game of gentlemen.
Sarfaraz Calling An SA Player Black
In a 2019 match involving Pakistan and South Africa, a comment by an Asian cricketer hogged the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The culprit happened to be Sarafaz Ahmed, who was heard on camera calling the South African cricketer Andile Phehlukwayo “black guy”. However, the captain of the 2017 Champions Trophy-winning team was handed a four-match ban for his racial outbursts and he even apologised to the South African cricketer on Twitter.
Moeen Ali’s Forgiving Nature Saves An Oz Cricketer
For a change, England were at the receiving end on this occasion. In the 2015 Ashes Series, an unnamed Australian cricketer called Moeen Ali of England “Osama”. This angered several English cricketers but Moeen’s cool demeanor did not allow the matter to blow out of proportions. The English cricketer of Asian descent convinced his furious teammates not to lodge any complaint and the matter was buried there and then. However, when the incident fell into the public domain in 2018 via Moeen’s autobiography there was an uproar in the world of cricket.
Did Harbhajan Say “Monkey or M** Ki”
The year 2008 is infamous in cricket for the Monkeygate Scandal, which is now a part of the cricketing folklore. In the Sydney Test when Harbhajan was facing a barrage of short-pitched deliveries from Brett Lee, the former said something to the latter that angered Andrew Symonds, who was not too far away from these two. Then an argument broke out between Bhajji and Symonds which only got over after the intervention of the on-field umpires.
The Australian team, later on, lodged a complaint against Harbhajan for racially abusing Symonds and the “turbanator” was handed a three-match ban. This angered the Indian team so much that they threatened to pull out of the series. Then a court hearing over the incident was held in between the series where Sachin, appearing as the eyewitness, clarified that Harbhajan did not call Symonds “Monkey” but “M** Ki”, which is commonly used in Hindi and it’s devoid of any racial undertones. Following this, Bhajji was exempted from the ban but was fined 50 percent of his match fee.
Darren Sammy And “The Kalu” Remark
West Indian cricketer Darren Sammy some time back revealed that he was constantly referred to as “Kalu” by a teammate during the IPL 2013. However, he never understood the meaning of the word or the racial underpinnings involved in the phrase. When he came to know about the actual meaning of the word some years later, he said that he is proud to be a black guy and there is no shame in being ashamed of one’s colour. He also clarified that he has no ill will against the cricketer as he only wants to remind him that there is nothing wrong with the black colour or complexion.
Dean Jones Booted Out For “Terrorist” Remark on Amla
Former Australian great Dean Jones once had the famous Australian “brain-fade” moment, when he called South African cricketer Hashim Amla a “Terrorist” openly on the television. Following this Jones apologised for the remark but Ten Sports was not satisfied and relieved him of his duty. This incident happened in 1996 during a Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo when Amla took a brilliant catch to dismiss Kumar Sangakkara. Gerald Majola, then Cricket South Africa’s Chief Executive said, “this kind of insulting racial stereotyping has no place in cricket and must be stamped on swiftly.”
Lehmann Goes Ballistic Over Lankans
In 2003, when Darren Lehmann got run out in an ODI game against Sri Lanka at Brisbane, the Australian batsman, in the heat of the moment, mouthed some profanities on some Sri Lankan players on the field while walking off, one of the phrases happened to be “Black Cu**” as well. Lehmann regretted the incident later on and apologised for the unsporting behaviour, but the ICC slapped him with a five-match ban.
