Cricketing legend and batting supremo Saeed Anwar urged Bradford youngsters to be proud of their city.

The Pakistani sports star who holds the world record for the highest score in a one-day international was hoping to inspire pupils at Nab Wood School as part of Education Bradford's new mentoring project.

The 37-year-old left-handed batsman was greeted by scores of excited pupils as he took a tour of the school.

Amar Ali, 12, said: "I want to be a cricketer and I wanted to ask his advice but when I met him I was too shy."

Azar Khan, 12, said: "I want to ask him about how he started out and how he concentrates on his bowling."

Speaking to a group of 20 pupils aged from 13 to 18 Mr Anwar said: "You live in the UK and should be patriotic and should be proud to represent Bradford and to play for England."

He said he was proud to be at the school and hoped to maintain links with the pupils.

Mr Anwar, who counts Viv Richards as his all-time sporting hero, said: "I really liked the idea of the mentoring project because I think young people need the right direction and need to be given the right knowledge.

"They need to be encouraged to be better people."

Mr Anwar, who has relatives living in Bradford and was visiting from his home in Pakistan, told the students they needed to work hard and show determination.

He said: "You make your own luck, and things happen the way you think they should.

"If you want to hit a six you have to be 100 per cent sure of yourself and play with heart - that is what great players are about."

Arshad Javed, chief executive of the Asian Trades Link which has vowed to get behind the project, told pupils that Mr Anwar was at the school to inspire them to follow their dreams.

Mr Javed, who has been friends with the cricketing hero for several years, said: "He is no different to any one of us but he made a decision and he followed it through.

"Each one of you can become a fantastic cricket player or something else that you really hope to be."

Head boy Mukthar Rehman, 18, said: "I feel really inspired.

"It is really great to have met someone who has made it.

"And it just shows that is doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, you can still reach the top."

Deputy head teacher David Lewis said: "We are delighted that Mr Anwar took time out from his busy schedule to come here and talk to the children.

"I have spoken to a few of them and they said they were really impressed by the many interesting things he said."

The mentoring programme is a partnership between Education Bradford and Bradford Confederations.

For details call Javed Bashir on (01274) 385932 or go to www.inspire bradford.co.uk