Earby welcome back Ali Azmat
2:39pm Thursday 8th May 2008
Earby Cricket Club welcomed back their professional Ali Azmat after his arrival into the UK was held up by a visa in his home country of Pakistan.
Azmat, who has been Earby's pro for the last two seasons and is also under contract for 2008, was keen to start the season with the club but due to a misunderstanding in Pakistan, his arrival in the UK was delayed until the end of last week. Fortunately he arrived on Friday, the day before Earby's big derby match against Settle.
Because of his contract with Ear-by, club treasurer John Heald said Azmat already had a UK work permit sorted out.
However Heald added: "The officials misinterpreted the wording. Bureaucracy in Pakistan was holding things up. Unfortunately there's nothing you can do about that."
The all-rounder had a solid game for Earby on his season debut, scoring 30 runs and taking 2-51 in 22 overs.
Heald said: "Ali makes a tremendous difference to our team, not only as a batsman and bowler but also his personality."