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

"South Asian Stars Aim For Success In England"

Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir have been included in England's team for their upcoming tour of Pakistan.

The recent Test series between England and Pakistan is especially important for two of the team's standout spinners.

Bowlers Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir will be facing off against the nation of their fathers' origins.

Ahmed, who is 20 years old, looks back fondly on his time competing in Pakistan, as he began his journey in England less than two years ago.

He made history as the youngest player to compete in test cricket for England and also as the youngest leg-spinner to achieve a five-wicket haul in his first match.

For Bashir, this will be his debut playing in the country.

"I'm excited about it, although it might feel a bit unusual given how much we follow Pakistan cricket as a family," the 20-year-old shared with BBC Asian Network.

As I was growing up, I admired the way they played and found great joy in watching them.

I remember playing cricket in the yard with my brother. He would take on the role of England, while I would represent Pakistan, or sometimes we would switch roles.

It was actually only those two teams.

"Reflecting on where I am today, I feel a deep sense of gratitude," Bashir shares.

Bashir, Ahmed, Adil Rashid, and the recently retired Moeen Ali are recognized as inspirational figures within the British South Asian community.

Around 30% of amateur cricketers in England and Wales have British South Asian heritage, yet less than 5% make it to the professional level.

Azeem Rafiq, a former cricketer from England and Yorkshire, shared his experiences of racism and discrimination in the sport, which raised worries about how this might discourage young athletes aspiring to turn professional.

One initiative launched by officials aiming to close the divide is the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA).

It collaborates closely with cricketers, providing coaching and guidance as they prepare to pursue contracts with local teams.

Last week, Jafer Chohan made history as the first SACA graduate to be included in an England squad, receiving his invitation for a limited-overs tour to the West Indies.

Rehan Ahmed accomplished a lot during his recent visit to Pakistan.

Bashir expresses his happiness about the establishment of an academy, as he believes that his journey to join the England squad was largely due to an incredible twist of fate that may not have occurred otherwise.

He was let go by Surrey when he was a teenager before being picked up by Somerset.

Test captain Ben Stokes came across a viral video showing Bashir bowling to former England captain Sir Alastair Cook. This led to Bashir being quickly selected for the national team, and he made his debut in February.

"I was really lucky that Stokesy noticed that."

I believe that everyone's path is unique, and how individuals arrive at this point isn't determined by common trends or numbers.

"It all comes down to your skills and what you can contribute to a team," Bashir explains.

My path hasn’t been smooth. A year and a half ago, I was frantically looking for a way into professional cricket, feeling lost and without options. However, ever since I signed my contract, I've only moved forward.

"I feel thankful to have cricket as my career, and representing my country is undoubtedly one of the greatest achievements."

Rehan Ahmed, a Nottingham native currently playing for Leicestershire, is an ardent supporter of the academy.

"They have developed many skilled cricketers, and it's a fantastic effort," he explains.

He believes that choosing Jafer Chohan indicates a shift in how England views and embraces young players.

It's clear that there's always the possibility for growth, but Jafer's selection despite not having played many matches this summer indicates that England is open to new talent.

"It's about shaping your own path. While some individuals may wait for things to come their way, those who are truly determined will find a way to achieve their goals, no matter what."

"We feel safe because we understand that even if we don't perform well, we won't be treated unfairly."

Ahmed mentions, "It’s great to know that we have full support behind us."

Tune in to Ankur Desai's program on BBC Asian Network, airing live from 3 PM to 6 PM, Monday through Thursday. You can also catch up on previous episodes here.