Local coach in Zimbabwe suspended after allegations of racism from former PBKS all-rounder: Reports

A local coach in Zimbabwe's domestic cricket was suspended after all-rounder Sikandar Raza filed a complaint, alleging him of racial abuse during a domestic 50-over Vigne Cup match on Sunday, June 1. An ESPN Cricinfo report identified the coach as Blessing Mafuwa and said that he had passed derogatory remarks towards Raza when was leaving the field.

The incident allegedly took place when the 39-year-old was playing for Old Hararians against Rainbow Cricket Club at the Old Hararians Sports Club. While Raza did not mention Mafuwa's name in his complaint, Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association (HMCA) Chairman Tafadzwa Madoro confirmed that Mafuwa was the person, who had made the remarks.

"We received a report of racial abuse that our T20 captain [Raza] suffered, last week. We are in the process of investigating. Blessing Mafuwa will attend a hearing this coming Tuesday. He will answer charges from the report. In the interim, he is suspended from all activities in the HMCA.

"We don't take racism allegations lightly. We don't condone any racial abuse in HMCA. We will want to investigate this as quickly as possible," Mafuwa told ESPN Cricinfo on Sunday, June 8.

Sikandar Raza calls for an example to be made out of the coach, if found guilty

Sikandar Raza, who made 78 off 56 balls in the aforementioned match, had said that if Mafuwa was found guilty of passing racial remarks against him, then the punishment should be to such an extent that such words are not spoken against a player in future. He also said he expected a thorough investigation to take place on the incident.

"If found guilty, an example should be made out of him so that stuff like this never happens again to this and future generations," Raza told ESPN Cricinfo on Sunday.

Raza last played for Zimbabwe in the one-off Test against England at Nottingham in May.