[EXCLUSIVE] "My aim is to play as many leagues as I can and obviously try to represent England at some stage": Kashif Ali

[FearlessRoar]

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion, Kashif Ali shared insights into his recent three-year deal signing with Worcestershire, marking a significant milestone in his cricketing journey. Originally from Pakistan, he relocated to the UK at the age of 11, where his family already had ties. During the interview, Kashif discussed his evolution from being a fast bowler to becoming a batter.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by South Asian cricketers in gaining visibility, Kashif expressed gratitude towards platforms like the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) and organizations like the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) for providing opportunities. He especially credited SACA for giving him a launching pad to the County circut and enabling his participation in the KPL.

Kashif also reminisced about the valuable learning experience of playing alongside Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi in the KPL and receiving guidance from veteran cricketer Azhar Ali while playing alongside him for Worcestershire.

Kashif's recent 3-year contract with Worcestershire is a testament to his perseverance and belief in seizing opportunities.

Highlighting his future goals, Kashif expressed aspirations to represent England and to play in as many leagues as he can.

Watch the full interview here:

 

[FearlessRoar]

Back-to-back centuries for Kashif Ali in the county season 2024! In the first innings, he scored 110 runs off 188 balls. Currently, in the second innings scored 133(128) for Worcestershire against Warwickshire.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1776966874141454767

https://twitter.com/x/status/1776984486074319355

 

[Saj]

Brilliant start to the County season for Kashif.

The work SACA has done recently is fantastic and it's great to see some Asian guys being given a chance by a few Counties. Hopefully the Counties who still refuse to give the Asian lads a chance will wake up and finally realise that they too should give these guys a chance.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Back-to-back centuries for Kashif Ali in the county season 2024! In the first innings, he scored 110 runs off 188 balls. Currently, in the second innings scored 133(128) for Worcestershire against Warwickshire.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1776966874141454767

https://twitter.com/x/status/1776984486074319355

His batting stance is very much identical to Steve Smith's also the way he played that pull shot makes him even more similar to the batting great.

 

[Asad T]

Back-to-back centuries for Kashif Ali in the county season 2024! In the first innings, he scored 110 runs off 188 balls. Currently, in the second innings scored 133(128) for Worcestershire against Warwickshire.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1776966874141454767

https://twitter.com/x/status/1776984486074319355

It has been quite a crazy turn for him. Starting as a fast bowler and now he is a proper batter who bowls a bit of leg spin.

He averages over 50 in list A with a SR of over 100. He has a meh FC record for the time being, but with back-to-back 100's, this will hopefully be a nice springboard to better things. Look forward to seeing how he goes

 

[y33ny]

Looks like a genuine talent. I'm sure that the ECB won't waste him. I look forward to seeing him in England colors.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

What a waste of talent by Pakistan, I just fear he may not opt to play for Pakistan now. Such a gem of a talent.

 

[HitWicket]

Do we know if the FC cricket he played in Pakistan this winter was done as an overseas registration or whether he played as a local on a Pakistani passport (which would forfeit his eligibility for England for the next few years)?

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Is he the same Kashif Ali that was bowling to Babar Azam and troubling him? I highly doubt it.

 

[PakEngFan]

Is he the same Kashif Ali that was bowling to Babar Azam and troubling him? I highly doubt it.

It's different.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Is he the same Kashif Ali that was bowling to Babar Azam and troubling him? I highly doubt it.

Nope. This guy is not the same one. He is from Kashmir if I am not wrong and he is a pretty good batter. Another wanted talent. His intentions are clear. He is looking to play for England which I guess he will do soon based on his form and eligibility.

 

[the Great Khan]

That shot in the first video was pure class..looks like a real talent..just got to push on and he may get a chance with England as they are now looking for players like this. As for Pakistan loosing him , they didn't have him in the first place.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Kashif Ali: “I was the first SACA graduate – there will be many more…”

Of the eight South Asian Cricket Academy graduates to earn professional contracts so far, Kashif Ali was the first. Here he reflects on making two centuries on his County Championship Division One debut with Worcestershire last week.

A few days on, I still can’t quite believe what happened. Scoring so many runs (110 and 133) in my two innings against Warwickshire was just a brilliant feeling. I couldn’t ask for a better start and it’s a really humbling experience.

Every time I go into bat, I try not to think too much about it. I try to keep my head empty, then just watch the ball and react to what’s happening in front of me. I want to play ball by ball and not think too far ahead. It’s not easy, but it gets easier as you get more experience. The more you play, the more you learn new things.

For a few years now, I’ve been going away every winter to try to play a lot of games. Some go well for me; others don’t. But going through that experience teaches you so much. Speaking to senior players about their gameplan and mindset also helps.

But even with those lessons behind me, getting that kind of start in my first ever Division One match, and to do it all at a Test match ground like Edgbaston – it’s a dream come true.

Over the last four or five years, I’ve trialled at a few different counties for the second XI. I’ve had spells at Essex, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Northants. I’ve also played a bit for MCC Young Cricketers. But while I’ve always scored a decent amount of runs, I never got offered that first contract.

When the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) started in Pakistan, I got picked in the trials and eventually my name was put in the draft. I got picked for Shahid Afridi’s team Rawalakot Hawks in 2022 and I was in the top five scorers in the league. In the semi-final eliminator, I scored 114 and we went on to win the final as well.

At that stage, the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) was quite new to the scene as a high performance pathway and an option for young South Asian players. But the leaders there were following my scores. Kadeer Ali, Worcestershire’s assistant head coach, watched me play and Tom Brown, who’s the MD of SACA, also watched my highlights. They contacted me and asked if I wanted to come back to the UK and start trialling again.

I just saw it as an opportunity. The day I got to the UK, Worcestershire were playing SACA in a friendly fixture. After a long flight home following playing overseas, I’d gone along just to meet the guys from SACA, but Tom sent me out to bat at no. 9 and I scored 50-odd. From there, things continued and eventually I was offered a three-month deal with Worcestershire playing in the T20s.

SACA is an absolutely amazing platform for South Asian cricketers to showcase their skills and performances. It gives South Asian cricketers a lot of exposure to the top end of the game and I really do think it does an amazing job. It’s a place that can give you hope that there’s something out there for you.

I was the first graduate from SACA to get a contract in the professional game. That’s a proud moment and something that will stay with me forever, but I know so many more will follow that path in the coming years. There are just so many talented players going through SACA.

For now, though, my attention turns back to playing with Worcestershire. On a personal level, I want to play at the highest level I can. But I’ve got to stay in the present and take things day by day. As a team, we’ve set a target to stay in the top five. It’s the first time for a lot of us in the team, but we look a strong unit.

Every day over the last few years, I told myself I wouldn’t give up. I knew I was good enough. In my head, I was just going to keep traveling to different countries until I’d made my way in professional cricket. Luckily, I hope the events of the last week mean that determination has started to pay off.

Source: ECB

 

[Saj]

I've interviewed the Managing Director of SACA.

Interesting views from him on what they are doing and their future plans.

Great work from them!

 

[FearlessRoar]

After the early fall of wickets, Worcestershire's Kashif Ali played a solid innings of 40 (85) in the 1st innings against Nottinghamshire in the 2024 county season

https://twitter.com/x/status/1779155029263335588

 

[FearlessRoar]

The kind of form he is in for Worcestershire in county 2024, he will probably get a call up to England's Test squad.