Ex-England pacer Tim Bresnan apologises for bullying Azeem Rafiq, but denies racism claims

Amid  Yorkshire racism row, former England fast bowler Tim Bresnan has dismissed accusation me by Azeem Rafiq towards pacer. Bresnan has said that Rafiq's comments are "absolutely not true". Even so, he has also apologised "unreservedly" to Rafiq if he might have h a part in contributing to cricketer's experience of feeling bullied at Yorkshire. 

"I have been me aware of bullying claims me against me and have listened to Azeem Rafiq's account of his time at Yorkshire CCC today with great distress, as I'm sure everyone will have done," Bresnan said in a statement on Twitter.

"For any part, I played in contributing to Azeem Rafiq's experience of feeling bullied at Yorkshire, I apologise unreservedly. Following publication of Azeem's witness statement from employment tribunal, which I saw for first time this afternoon, I must though categorically deny his accusation that I 'frequently me racist comments'. This is absolutely not true," he ded.

Yorkshire racism row

Earlier on Tuesday, Rafiq spoke in length about one-time Yorkshire captain Gary Ballance. Ballance has mitted using a "racial slur" towards Rafiq in a lengthy statement issued earlier this month. Moreover, he apologised, but stated it as a part of a 'long and deep friendship'. Similarly, Azeem Rafiq also revealed that former England opener Alex Hales has named his dog "Kevin" because it was a black one. He furr went on to d that "Kevin" was a name used by n Yorkshire skipper Gary Ballance all time for people of select colour.

"Gary and Alex Hales got very close to each or playing for England but I understand Alex went on to name his dog Kevin because it was black. It is disgusting how much of a joke it became,"

Rafiq held his tears back when he told MPs (parliamentary select committee) word 'P***' was "used constantly" across his two spells at Yorkshire and no one in leership challenged it. Earlier, he claimed that Michael Vaughan in 2009 told him and two or Asian players that re are "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it". When asked to comment on Vaughan's remarks, Rafiq said that: 

"It's important on Michael that we don't make it all about Michael. It was a long time ago. He might not remember it because it doesn't mean anything to him." Vaughan, however, h denied allegations. 

With ANI inputs