LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
THE STORY OF ONE MAN WHO CHANGED THE FACE OF CRICKET FOREVER.
‘Azeem’s first legacy – a legacy carved at great personal expense – was to expose how cricket works. His second gift may be to expose how this country works, too.’ Jonathan Liew
When Azeem Rafiq was a young boy playing cricket near his home in Pakistan, he could never have foreseen that this sport would change his life forever. He fell in love with the game quickly and it wasn’t long before the white flannels and green grass felt like home to him. When he moved to England, he became the youngest man to captain a Yorkshire side and the first person of Asian descent to do so. His talent was undeniable, and doors were opening for him.
But there was something Azeem was bottling up and it was about to explode out of him and shake the whole cricket world, and wider society, out of their slumber. It’s Not Banter, It’s Racism is the never before-told truth behind the racism accusations that shocked a nation, from the moment Azeem spoke up to the resulting events that have altered his world entirely.
With heartbreaking honesty, Azeem reveals why he will always use his voice in a society that would prefer him to be voiceless.
‘Azeem has stood up to the world, spoken back against evil. He has had victories. He has failed. He extends charity to others and he says no: no to racism. Because we must be better than our worst.’ Stan Grant
‘Azeem’s dream was to help England win the Ashes. That wasn’t to be. But maybe, one day we’ll reflect that his legacy to the game is far greater than winning any amount of Test series.’ George Dobell
‘A principled whistleblower who stood up for what was right, Azeem has changed cricket forever.’ Jennifer Robinson
‘Honest, open and powerful.’ Baroness Warsi
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Reviews
Honest, open and powerful, Azeem has never been afraid at facing injustice head on, and this book is no different. It's Not Banter, It's Racism is a credit to Azeem and an important part of his anti-racism work. I hope many will read and understand the message at the heart of this book; that Azeem was just a young British Pakistani boy who wanted to play cricket, and he deserved so much better.
Azeem's dream was to help England win the Ashes. That wasn't to be. But maybe, one day we'll reflect that his legacy to the game is far greater than winning any amount of Test series.
Azeem has stood up to the world, spoken back against evil. He has had victories. He has failed. He extends charity to others and he says no: no to racism. Because we must be better than our worst.
A principled whistleblower who stood up for what was right, Azeem has changed cricket forever.
Azeem's first legacy - a legacy carved at great personal expense - was to expose how cricket works. His second gift may be to expose how this country works, too.