Neil Whitaker interviews Ajmal Shahzad May 31st

LEFT out of the first Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s meant that Yorkshire’s Ajmal Shahzad could play his first match for Yorkshire since the end of April.

Before the season started Ajmal was capped by Yorkshire and since April, he was a member of England’s T20 world cup winning squad and picked for England’s first home test of the summer, but he was returning to the Yorkshire side in of all matches, the roses match.  Ajmal said: “I just wanted to get some overs in my opening spell.  I am just glad to get some overs in, hopefully I can get into a bit of rhythm.  I’ve had a few weeks bowling in the nets but it doesn’t compare with bowling in the middle.  In my first spell I just ran in and I tried too hard and it didn’t click.  I think I got ahead of myself and there was no swing or seam.”

He added: “After bowling in the nets, I feel fresh but just bowling in the nets doesn’t prepare you for bowling out in the middle.”

Ajmal, 24, was Yorkshire first Yorkshire born Asian to play for the county when he made his debut in 2006 and in the winter he was selected to tour Bangladesh and in the T20 World Cup squad.  “It was both an enjoyable experience and a disappointing one not to be involved in the matches.  Being in two winning squads was an enjoyable feeling.  I learnt a lot while I was out there and I was able to pick up a lot from the best professionals in the world.”

Ajmal Shahzad Career Figures