Azeem Rafiq, a cricketer for Yorkshire Vikings, took his 100th Twenty20 wicket, dedicating it to his son Alyaan, who was stillborn earlier in 2018.
Azeem Rafiq made accusations of racism and bullying at Yorkshire in September 2020.
Several of his allegations were found to be true by an independent report, and the case became a major news story in the United Kingdom.
It resulted in several resignations at the club and was investigated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the British parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.
What Happened To Azeem Rafiq Son Alyaan?
After a difficult pregnancy, Azeem Rafiq and his wife Faryal lost their baby in May.
Due to the tragedy, the 27-year-old spinner from Barnsley missed the first three months of the season, including the 50-over One Day Cup, where he was Yorkshire’s top wicket-taker last year and has yet to play a County Championship match in 2018.
But he’s returned to the Twenty20 Blast, where he took his 100th wicket in the format against Leicestershire Foxes on Tuesday at Headingley.
Rafiq, who spoke to The Chronicle, said he was ecstatic to have reached that milestone, his entire family, including his wife, was present to share it with him.
The first British Pakistani led Anti-Racism campaign:
Run Racism Out!
All change begins with the little steps & we hope our voice can both support and contribute to the bigger movement needed here in Great Britain#runracismout #itsnotbanter #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/jgAXAeiS7a
— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) November 15, 2021
With the loss of their baby, it’s been their tough year, and he’d like to dedicate that wicket to their son.
Rafiq became Yorkshire’s fourth player to reach 100 wickets in the Twenty20 tournament in 2003. England internationals Adil Rashid and Tim Bresnan, as well as Richard Pyrah, were the first three.
Rafiq has played the fewest matches of the quartet (92) and is only the 24th player from any county to reach the century mark.
Azeem Rafiq Wife Details
Azeem Rafiq is married to Faryal Zaheer and has a child with his wife.
Rafiq was released by Yorkshire shortly after his first child was stillborn in 2018, following a difficult pregnancy for his wife.
He has spoken about the impact of his release, the way he was treated at the club, and the stillbirth on his mental health, saying he considered suicide.
The couple spent some time in Pakistan after the stillbirth, with Rafiq on compassionate leave from Yorkshire. He first informed Yorkshire about incidents of racism at the club at this time.
Rafiq and his sister began providing food for National Health Service and other critical workers in Barnsley during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020 and raising money for the local hospice.
As a result, the siblings decided to open a tea shop in the shipping container. He left the professional game in 2021 to open a fish and chip shop in Barnsley, and he has continued to gain qualifications to coach cricket since then.
Azeem Rafiq Early Life Explored
Azeem Rafiq moved to England in 2001 after being born in Karachi, Pakistan.
He was born and raised in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and attended Holgate School there.
As a child, Azeem played cricket for Barnsley Cricket Club and Yorkshire school teams. In 2006, he captained the England under-15 side as a member of Yorkshire’s cricket academy.
Rafiq received a Sport England award the same yeartoo.
In 2007, Azeem was named Yorkshire’s Junior Performer of the Year.
Azeem Rafiq Net Worth
According to our calculations, Azeem Rafiq is a wealthy cricketer who is also one of the most popular cricketers worth $1.5 million.
Due to his primary career as a cricketer, Azeem has amassed a significant amount of wealth.
He has represented Yorkshire County Cricket Club on a professional level.
Azeem, a right-arm off-spin bowler too.