From community to county level, a story of how grassroots Asian cricket went professional.
Yorkshire based journalist and cricket fan Nasser Hanif explores recordings he made for the archive project “From Parks to Pavilions” which documented how Asian community cricket developed from its roots on the backstreets through to the formation of the first leagues and up to county level and beyond.
It’s a story that reflects society at the time, looks into immigration and cultural differences and asks how the sport can create a climate where diversity flourishes.
The project was produced by a Bradford community organisation AYA in 2016 and was originally broadcast on local BBC radio across England.
Producer: Nasser Hanif.
Digital producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Kathryn Morrison.
With thanks to:
Mobeen Butt for the use of this archive.
Photograph by Mohanlal Mistry.
The ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ project was developed and delivered by the AYA Foundation with support from Bradford Local Studies Libraries, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
From community to county level, a story of how grassroots Asian cricket went professional.
Yorkshire based journalist and cricket fan Nasser Hanif explores recordings he made for the archive project “From Parks to Pavilions” which documented how Asian community cricket developed from its roots on the backstreets through to the formation of the first leagues and up to county level and beyond.
It’s a story that reflects society at the time, looks into immigration and cultural differences and asks how the sport can create a climate where diversity flourishes.
The project was produced by a Bradford community organisation AYA in 2016 and was originally broadcast on local BBC radio across England.
Producer: Nasser Hanif.
Digital producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Kathryn Morrison.
With thanks to:
Mobeen Butt for the use of this archive.
Photograph by Mohanlal Mistry.
The ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ project was developed and delivered by the AYA Foundation with support from Bradford Local Studies Libraries, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Exploring how grassroots cricket is gearing up for the new season following the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.
Nasser Hanif looks at the impact and visits a cricket club that seems to be getting things right in terms of representation. He asks what the county’s cricket club can learn from this model.
Also in this episode Lord Kamlesh Patel the current chairman of Yorkshire shares his thoughts on what’s happened and what’s next for the iconic game. He says Azeem has provided a “once in a generation opportunity” for change. But is that sentiment reflected at a grassroots level?
Reporter: Nasser Hanif. Producer: Ruchi Tandon. Executive producer: Kathryn Morrison.
With thanks to: Mobeen Butt for the use of this archive. Photograph by Mohanlal Mistry. The ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ project was developed and delivered by the AYA Foundation with support from Bradford Local Studies Libraries, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
What next for the sport after the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal? Nasser hears from a young Asian woman with ambitions to make it as a professional cricketer, and her father. Also two coaches discuss the future direction of cricket for talented players from the Asian Community.
Producer Nasser Hanif Digital Producer Rachael Smith Executive producer: Kathryn Morrison.
With thanks to: Mobeen Butt for the use of the ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ archive. The ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ project was developed and delivered by the AYA Foundation with support from Bradford Local Studies Libraries, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Photograph by Mohanlal Mistry.
How Asian cricketers formed a historic league and became more competitive.
Lord Kamlesh Patel the current chairman of Yorkshire talks about the significance of the first ever all Asian league set up in Yorkshire in an interview recorded in 2016.
How it built a relationship with Yorkshire which led to two Asian teams playing at the Test match ground Headingly for the first time in their history.
What was happening with Asian cricket in other parts of the country.
How International Test match stars like Imran Khan ended up playing in Yorkshire.
Nasser Hanif investigates the highs and lows of league cricket and its relationship with Yorkshire, asking “ can this help us understand the Yorkshire racism scandal better ?”
Producer Nasser Hanif.
Digital Producer Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Kathryn Morrison.
With thanks to: Mobeen Butt for the use of this archive. Photograph by Mohanlal Mistry. The ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ project was developed and delivered by the AYA Foundation with support from Bradford Local Studies Libraries, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Early pioneers describe playing cricket on the backstreets of Yorkshire.
For 30 years the ‘Yorkshire birthright rule’ meant only those born in Yorkshire could play for the county and Yorkshire’s Asian players formed their own teams and leagues.
Nasser Hanif looks into the highs and lows of league cricket and its relationship with Yorkshire, asking “does it also foreshadow the Yorkshire racism scandal?”
Producer: Nasser Hanif.
Digital producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Kathryn Morrison.
With thanks to:
Mobeen Butt for the use of this archive.
Photograph by Mohanlal Mistry.
The ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ project was developed and delivered by the AYA Foundation with support from Bradford Local Studies Libraries, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Using unique archive stories, journalist Nasser Hanif explores cricket from the streets of Bradford to Yorkshire County.
Producer: Nasser Hanif.
Digital producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Kathryn Morrison.
With thanks to:
Mobeen Butt for the use of this archive.
Photograph by Mohanlal Mistry.
The ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ project was developed and delivered by the AYA Foundation with support from Bradford Local Studies Libraries, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.