Lawyer Aamer Anwar: Cricket Scotland racism is ‘case that’s horrified me most’

A report into racism within Cricket Scotland has been described as “the most devastating verdict to be delivered on any sporting institution in the United Kingdom”.

The analysis came from Aamer Anwar, the solicitor for the former Scotland players Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh, whose allegations prompted the independent report.

Anwar declared the findings of institutional racism on 29 out of 31 indicators a “total vindication” of his clients, who both praised review team Plan4Sport for its compassion and thoroughness after initially being sceptical.

The lawyer, whose case history includes helping the family of Lanarkshire murder victim Surjit Singh Chhokar get long-awaited justice, said: “In 35 years of campaigning this is probably the one case that has horrified me the most. The scale of it is a devastating indictment.

“It should never be normal for a young person to be made to feel worthless, to be dehumanised in a sport they love, to be brainwashed into thinking it’s their fault, but that sadly is the brutal story of hundreds of young people of colour who played cricket in Scotland.”

Although Haq and Sheikh’s Scotland careers were of contrasting length, both told similar stories of never feeling part of the team, having their confidence deliberately dented, and always feeling they were two bad games away from being dropped while white players were given time to find their feet.

Haq gave an example of being moved from third to ninth in the batting order after hitting 120 not out. Sheikh hit consecutive centuries but found himself dropped after two below-par displays.

Both never played for their country again after publicly expressing their opinion that race was a factor in selection. Neither have heard from their former