Former Essex Cricketer Reveals Racism Acts Against Him, Reckons People Started Calling Him Bomber

Published - 14 Nov 2021, 12:25 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:01 AM

Essex Cricket Club. Image Credits: Twitter

Another ex-cricketer, Zoheb Sharif, who played for Essex, revealed that he was called the “Bomber” after the September 11 attacks and was seen as a banter. The racism allegations have been increasing day by day as cricketers have started to reveal how they have been affected by incidents inside the team. Zoheb Sharif was born in East London and his parents were from Pakistan.

Having been part of the Essex cricket team since 8 years old, Zoheb managed to make his first-team debut against Yorkshire in 2001. He averaged 101 with the bat and picked up 20 wickets in the four games he played for Essex. Azeem Rafiq was the first to admit the racism scandal in the Yorkshire cricket club and a number of cricketers have been adding up to the list.

“It Was Normal To Be Called “Curry Muncher” – Zoheb Sharif

Zoheb Sharif revealed that Azeem’s bold statement on racism allegation was quite similar to his story and he revealed that he wanted to be in the first team, which kept him quiet. He added that people called him a bomber after the September 11 attack and noted that the common nickname was ‘curry muncher’.

“Azim has shone a light on what’s been going on.”

“I didn’t say anything at the time. I was a teenager in a dressing room with big characters. To them it was banter. To me it wasn’t, but you don’t want to do anything to block your chance of getting into the first team.”

“It was a day after the September 11 attacks. People started calling me Bomber. It was normal to be called “curry muncher”. Zoheb Sharif voiced out

Zoheb Sharif Explains The Difficulties While Praying

Zoheb Sharif mentioned that he had to pray inside his car as a senior player commented negatively on him praying in a corner. He added that there were suggestions to find another county as it will be difficult for him to get games in the first team for Essex.

As a Muslim, I’d find a quiet outfield corner to pray. A senior player told me ‘it looks bad’. So I prayed in my car.”

“A committee member told me ‘No matter what you do you will not play first team. It would be best if you found another county” He added