FORMER Yorkshire fast bowler Ajmal Shahzad was at the Karmand Community Centre in Bradford today for a community cricket programme targeting young people aged 8-12 called 'Wicketz', which was hosting its first 'Unity of the Roses' event.

The former Woodhouse Grove and Bradford Grammar School pupil was thrilled to see youngsters enjoying the event, involving cricket matches and lifeskills workshops, and he believes projects like this are vital for those living in deprived areas.

Shahzad explained: "Bradford is a very difficult environment for a child to be brought up because they can easily get lost to the streets.

"We need programmes and facilities like this for kids, and if they can enjoy the game and learn a bit about its history that's great.

"A lot of these children here are from an Asian/Pakistani background and they'll go home to their mums and dads who have watched players like Wasim Akram and Imran Khan.

"They'll talk about these greats in their household, these kids will start to understand more and they'll watch the modern game on television.

"With cricket now on Sky and pay-per-view, that probably needs to be addressed, but until then, we need to get children playing in games like this and we need to speak more about current players.

"We then need to try and get those players involved in these projects so the children can see their heroes."

Shahzad, who made history in 2004 by becoming the first cricketer of an ethnic background to represent Yorkshire, feels that he has a personal responsibility to his community.

He admitted: "In an ideal world, I'd still play for Yorkshire and be a household name. Fewer people recognise me at projects like this than I'd want so this is a time for me to get involved in the community.

"No doubt I'll be playing against some these youngsters' friends and family members in the Bradford League. They'll talk about me and hopefully they'll see footage of me on YouTube and Sky Sports."

"It's nice to get back involved and to try to become a name they can look up to."

Shahzad laughed when remembering his childhood cricketing experiences, saying: "The equivalent of 'Wicketz' was me playing in the streets.

"I used to play after school in the cul-de-sac with friends. I didn't have the chance to play any Lancastrians like these kids from Bradford today."