England’s Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir excited to play Pakistan

England cricket’s latest test series in Pakistan holds a special significance for two of the team’s spinning stars.

Bowlers Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir will be competing against the country where their fathers were born.

Ahmed, 20, has fond memories of competing in Pakistan, having started his England career there less than two years ago.

He became the youngest man to play test cricket for England and the youngest leg-spinner to take a five-wicket haul on his debut.

For Bashir though, it’ll be his first time playing in the country.

“I’m looking forward to it, but it will be a bit weird because of how much we watch Pakistan cricket [in the family],” the 20-year-old tells BBC Asian Network.

“Growing up, I’ve always watched and love the way they play.

“I used to play cricket in the garden with my brother and he used to be England and I used to be Pakistan or vice-versa.

“It was literally just those two teams.

“To be in the position I am now, I look back and I’m very grateful,” Bashir says.

Both Bashir and Ahmed, along with Adil Rashid and recently retired Moeen Ali are seen as role models among British South Asians.

Approximately 30% of recreational cricketers in England and Wales are from British South Asian backgrounds but fewer than 5% are professional.

Former England and Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq’s testimony about experiencing racism and discrimination in the sport led to concerns about deterring young players looking to go pro.

One programme put in place by authorities seeking to bridge the gap is the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA).

It works closely with cricketers by coaching and mentoring them before trying to secure a contract with domestic teams.

Last week Jafer Chohan became the first graduate of SACA to be named in an England squad, earning his call-up for a white-ball tour of the West Indies.

Bashir says he’s glad an academy now exists, because his own route into the England squad might not have happened but for an amazing stroke of luck.

He was released by Surrey as a teenager before being signed by Somerset.

It was only after test captain Ben Stokes saw a viral video of Bashir bowling to former England captain Sir Alastair Cook that the spinner was fast-tracked into the national side, making his debut in February.

“I was very fortunate Stokesy saw that.

“I think people’s journeys are different and the way people come into the side, it doesn’t depend on averages or statistics.

“It depends on attributes and what you can bring to a team,” Bashir says.

“My journey hasn’t been the easiest. 18 months ago I was in a desperate search to play professional cricket, I had to nowhere to go but since signing my contract I haven’t looked back.

“I’m grateful to play cricket as a profession, and to represent your country is arguably the biggest thing.”

Rehan Ahmed, who grew up in Nottingham and plays for Leicestershire, is a huge fan of the academy.

“They have produced a lot of professional cricketers and it’s a very good initiative,” he says.

He feels the selection of Jafer Chohan is a sign of change in the way England looks at young talent.

“Obviously there is always room for improvement, but for Jafer to be picked, [having not played] so many games this summer – it shows England are not closed off.

“It’s how you plan your own journey. Some people can expect it to happen for them, but some people who really want it will make it happen one way or another.

“We feel secure, in terms of if we don’t do well, we know we won’t be treated wrongly.

“We also know we’re backed 100% which is very nice,” Ahmed says.

Listen to Ankur Desai’s show on BBC Asian Network live from 15:00-18:00 Monday to Thursday – or listen back here.