Keighley Cricket Club's teenage star, Gulsheraz Ahmed, dreams of playing for Yorkshire -- and England -- after a bright start to his cricketing career.

The stunning Asian all-rounder, who is a student at Oakbank School, first came to England in the 1980's, but returned to Pakistan.

He started learning his cricketing craft in the mountainous region of Kashmir, an area where their are no organised leagues and not even a proper cricket pitch for aspiring young players to work on their game.

But despite the lack of facilities cricket, the national passion of Pakistan, infects every young boy.

After returning to England in 1997 Gulsheraz soon showed real promise.

he joined the Lawkholme Club in May that year and played in both the Under-15 and Under-17 sides and the with the club's Second XI, scoring six 50's for the Under-15's.

He also finished the season with 66, his first senior half century, in the second team's last match against Manningham Mills.

The following year he was opening batsman and opening bowler for the Under-17's and scored four half centuries for the senior side, and confirmed his promise as a true all-rounder with four wickets and 50 runs against Great Horton.

Half way through the season he was given his chance with the First XI and scored 63 not out against Brighouse in the last match of the season.

This year he has scored two centuries for the Under-17's rattled up 146 not out for Oakbank in their annual challenge match against Greenhead, and started the season with a bang for Keighley's 1st team, taking seven wickets in their first match against Salts.

The proved his lucky team for when they met in the return fixture he took a hat-trick - all bowled - and has chipped in with a couple of five wicket performances.

So far this season he has taken 43 wickets at 16.48 and scored 559 runs at an average of 46.58 and aims for a 1st XI century.

n Yorkshire CC is holding a full day of trials for young Asians on August 31. For details contact 0113-278-7394.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.