Adil Rashid from Yorkshire to Cricket World Cup Glory and the Hundred's Future

Posted by Xchange Tickets on August 19th, 2023

Adil Rashid from Yorkshire to Cricket World Cup Glory and the Hundred's Future

Amidst three bowling lanes, nets, a viewing balcony, and a diverse array of players from various communities, the game of cricket flourishes, radiating joy and enjoyment. This holds profound significance for Adil Rashid, as he takes immense pride in contributing to the sport that has enriched his life, and to the community that nurtured him from the beginning.

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A decade ago, at the youthful age of 25, while many of his peers were indulging in cars and possessions, Adil Rashid took a different path. He established a cricket academy bearing his name, a testament to his foresight and commitment.

Just last November, the academy found its physical abode on Bede’s Close in Thornton, situated in Bradford's eastern region. Reflecting on the journey, now at 35 years old and holding two Cricket World Cup victories with England, Rashid shares, "This idea had been in my plans for quite some time."

Time constraints held us back before, yet this past winter, a chance emerged. Together with my brother Amar and our family, we collectively resolved to establish a much-needed cricket hub in Bradford. The city lacked such facilities. While the planning phase demanded effort, our motivation extended beyond nurturing the upcoming cricket generation.

Empowering Dreams in the Heart of Bradford:

Our vision encompasses individuals from diverse backgrounds, granting them access to the center and igniting dreams of pursuing cricket professionally. This is no ordinary facility; it's a place for skill refinement and holistic growth – not just in cricket, but in life."

A decade ago, we initiated the Cricket Academy, seeing many players benefiting from it. However, the moment felt ripe to establish a dedicated center, a place for everyone to gather and evolve. It's here that potential can flourish into international cricket prowess."

Not too far back in time, Rashid himself was a budding cricket talent, identified in his youth through Yorkshire's developmental pathway. This trajectory led him to county achievements, Test cricket, and triumphs in limited-overs formats. Fostering talents from comparable beginnings was the core motivation behind founding his academy ten years back.

"Hailing from Bradford, where cricket holds important standing, I intimately understand the journey from a young age to the top. This understanding compelled me to establish the academy, aiming to simplify access for young talents," he reflects on his inspiration.

"Our academy not only offers a platform for cricket growth but also serves as a pathway. It offers a way to divert individuals from the streets toward cricket," he emphasizes. "This initiative is not limited to cricket enthusiasts; it's equally intended for those who aren't drawn to the sport initially, inviting them to embrace cricket."

Since its inception and continuing today, the academy's doors remain wide open to individuals of diverse backgrounds – boys and girls, regardless of ethnicity – South Asian, white, or any other.

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A Defining Moment:

"Absolutely," Rashid affirms, speaking of the membership that now comprises 120 individuals under the age of 18. Our doors are wide open; we embrace boys and girls from numerous backgrounds, societies, and religions. It's an inclusive space, accessible every day.

These words carry a deeper weight, especially over the past couple of years, following the accusations of 'institutional racism' made by Rashid's former Yorkshire teammate Azeem Rafiq against the county. Rashid himself was subjected to cross-examination during the hearings of the Cricket Discipline Commission in March.

As progress becomes the collective focus, both Rashid and his brother Amar, who supervises the academy's day-to-day operations, aim to collaborate with the county in an ongoing effort to unearth talents from diverse backgrounds.

Jafer Chohan stands as a prime example of this effort. Guided by the Rashid brothers and supported by the South Asian Cricket Academy, which facilitated contracts for seven cricketers in its inaugural year, Chohan secured a professional agreement with Yorkshire this summer.

"During the last half-year, we've witnessed pathways from Yorkshire utilizing our nets, and in the upcoming winter, we've established connections with Yorkshire's pathways and age groups," Rashid shares. "This center's aspiration is to be accessible to all, alongside our partnership with Yorkshire." This collaboration is set to encompass age groups ranging from under-13 to under-15s.

Honored On and Off the Field: Adil Rashid's MBE Recognition

In a realm beyond the cricket pitch, this year brought Rashid the distinction of an MBE for his contributions to the sport. “Being acknowledged for both cricket accomplishments and community involvement is a significant honor," he shares with The Yorkshire Post. It's a source of huge pride for both me and my family.

On the cricket field, Rashid, one of the nation's most accomplished spin bowlers, still possesses a wealth of prowess. Presently, his focus is deeply immersed in The Hundred, as he endeavors to steer the Northern Superchargers towards their inaugural appearance at the finals weekend.

"Rapid changes are always a possibility; our focus remains on the upcoming game," Rashid remarks, anticipating the upcoming clash with Manchester Originals on Sunday.

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup

Additionally, the impending task of defending the Cricket World Cup title in India this autumn is of paramount significance. Just recently, Rashid's inclusion in England's white-ball squads was confirmed for the ODI series against New Zealand scheduled from September 8 to 15, as well as the T20 series against the same opponents spanning from August 30 to September 5.

Collectively, these endeavors are part of England's strategy to refine their performance in preparation for the 50-over World Cup slated from October 5 to November 19. Cricket World Cup fans can buy England Cricket World Cup Tickets from our website.

"When you wear your state's colors, a surge of desire and willpower engulfs you. Every instance of representing your country fuels the commitment to give your best, perform at your peak, and simultaneously relish the experience," Rashid reflects. With an impressive tally of 183 wickets across 125 ODIs since 2009, he understands the weight of such representation.

"As a collective, we eagerly await the World Cup," Rashid continues. "Our aspirations extend beyond mere participation; we're entering India with a resolute mindset, fully dedicated to our mission. Challenges and victories will inevitably intertwine along the journey, inherent to both cricket and life's essence."

Challenges will undoubtedly arise in Cricket World Cup in India

"Collectively, our squad stands strong, united, and cohesive, fostering the hope of forging strong connections," Rashid expresses optimistically. "Challenges will undoubtedly arise; India is a demanding destination. However, we firmly believe in our resources – be it players, coaching staff, or match-winners across the board."

Having already ascended to the pinnacle once, Rashid's desire to achieve it again remains insatiable. The memory of conquering New Zealand in the World Cup final at the Oval on July 14, 2019, remains etched indelibly. "It was an incredible moment. Four years have passed since then, time's swift march. Nevertheless, that victory will remain a cherished memory for a lifetime," Rashid radiates with pride.

"It was an extraordinary opportunity – a home final at Lord's on a weekend. The circumstances aligned perfectly, and we were fortunate enough to emerge victorious. Replicating such a scenario would be exceedingly rare."

His contributions during that summer, and again in the subsequent November when England clinched the T20 World Cup, validated his choice to step away from first-class cricket, dedicating himself solely to white-ball formats. Cricket World Cup fans can buy India Cricket World Cup Tickets from our website.

The decision made in 2018 stirred debate within the cricket community; nevertheless, it could be viewed as a pioneering step, especially given the global surge of franchise cricket. T20 leagues have proliferated worldwide, and Rashid boasts experience in a significant number of them.

"I see my personal aspiration aligning with playing international cricket, to continue representing my country in T20 and white-ball formats for as long as possible," Rashid shares.

"The pinnacle remains international cricket, and the recent Ashes series revitalized Test cricket's allure," he adds. "Yet, the global proliferation of T20 leagues, from South Africa to Dubai and beyond, provides players with opportunities to partake in major leagues."

We hope Test cricket retains its significance

"The trajectory of the game is unmistakable; T20 cricket's dominance is evident. While we hope Test cricket retains its significance, the overall landscape appears to be shifting," Rashid concludes.

Therefore, it's not surprising that he ardently supports the continuation of The Hundred into its fourth season next summer, even as rumors circulate about its potential discontinuation in the men's division.

"It would be regrettable," Rashid remarks thoughtfully. "Throughout my involvement in the past couple of years, not only has the cricket been impressive, but the crowds have been equally remarkable. The Hundred has notably attracted more families to the stands, bridging a connection with audiences who hadn't necessarily been unaware of cricket but hadn't developed an affinity for it."

"With the introduction of The Hundred, family attendance surged. In terms of cultivating interest in cricket, I believe it has achieved success," Rashid concludes. This echoes his own role in inspiring individuals to embrace the sport that has shaped his life.

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