'I know he isn't a racist' - Ollie Robinson's ex-roommate and teammate Moin Ashraf comes out in support

The glory moment of making his international debut for England has quickly turned sore for pacer Ollie Robinson due to his controversial old tweets. All the racist and sexist tweets which he made way back almost 8-10 years ago, surfaced again on Twitter when he was playing at Lord’s on June 2 and that has turned his world upside down. Soon after the end of day’s play, Robinson issued a clear apology for his teenage tweets.

But he will most likely face the sanction from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) given that the issue is more serious today. Before the match, both England and New Zealand players shared a ‘moment of unity’ to show their collective determination against any form of discrimination in cricket. His old tweets might come back to hurt Ollie Robinson as ECB has also launched an investigation into the matter now.

Meanwhile, the cricketer’s ex-teammate at Yorkshire and even his roommate then, Moin Ashraf, has come out in his support. Standing by his friend, Ashraf has clearly stated that Ollie Robinson isn’t a racist at all. He cleared that the 28-year-old pacer has shared room with him and they dined together outside as well and never ever, the bowler made any racist remarks.

However, Moin Ashraf also stated that the old tweets from the cricketers were indeed inexcusable. He also highlighted that Robinson has apologised for the same and should be forgiven.

“As an ex teammate of Ollie Robinson’s in the Yorkshire set up, having roomed, shared the field and gone out for dinners and socials with him, I know full well he isn’t a racist. Yes, the remarks were inexcusable and irresponsible. He’s apologised. We should forgive, and move on,” Ashraf wrote in his tweet.

As an ex teammate of Ollie Robinson’s in the Yorkshire set up, having roomed, shared the field and gone out for dinners and socials with him, I know full well he isn’t a racist.

Yes, the remarks were inexcusable and irresponsible. He’s apologised. We should forgive, and move on.

— Moin Ashraf (@MoinA23) June 2, 2021

Ollie Robinson’s decent debut gone under the radar

Thanks to all this controversy, Ollie Robinson’s impressive debut with the ball on Day 1 at Lord’s has gone under the radar. He was the most successful bowler for England picking up two out of three wickets to fall on the day. He nipped out Tom Latham and Ross Taylor in his 16 overs while conceding 50 runs.