SUPERSTAR Bradford bowler Adil Rashid was at Park Avenue for a Dynamos Cricket coaching session for local youngsters yesterday, where he reflected on his own personal journey as a boy.

Speaking to the T&A, he said: “From a young age I was at Manningham Mills and Bradford & Bingley.

“From there you make your way up through good performances, go to a Yorkshire trial and if you get picked you play for Yorkshire under-11s.

“It kicked off from there. I played for the junior England teams as well as progressing at the Yorkshire Academy, through the second team and then into the first team.

“It took a lot of hard work and dedication behind the scenes to get me to this level.

“My dad would work nights as a taxi driver, have a few hours’ sleep and then take me to games, which were sometimes in Durham.

“He is my inspiration.”

Rashid is due to star in Yorkshire’s T20 Blast opener against Birmingham next Wednesday, as well as play an important role for the Northern Superchargers in the inaugural Hundred.

He is also likely to be in the England squad for the T20 World Cup later this year.

Asked if there was extra pressure on the team, given they are likely to be favourites, Rashid responded: “It’s irrelevant because we will look to concentrate on the day to make sure that we produce a performance that we are proud of as a team.”

England skipper Eoin Morgan often hands Rashid the ball to try and make the breakthrough, and the leggie said: “It is nice that has happened and that that trust has been developed.

“It’s good that the captain can throw you the ball and he wants you to go out there and give it your 100 per cent in terms of getting a wicket.

“It gives me confidence that the captain has my back and it’s a nice feeling.”

With another Bradford-born player in Jonny Bairstow also set to be included in that World Cup squad, Rashid said: “It’s nice to see that people born in Bradford have come through the system, knowing that they can achieve anything.

“Being born and bred in Bradford and winning the (50-over) World Cup in 2019, it shows that it is possible for anybody, regardless of their religion, gender or whether they live within a city or not.

“It makes it possible for people to have that dream and vision in sight.

“Bradford has been very important to me. It’s given me a chance and it’s a really welcoming city.

“When we won the World Cup, loads of people from Bradford celebrated with me when I returned to the city. This is where I belong and where my journey started.”

And the ECB-led Dynamos programme could help youngsters emulate Rashid.

He said: “The aim for that is to get younger people into the game, not just from Bradford but the whole of Yorkshire. It is important for them to come through.

“It is important to get everybody, including those from BAME backgrounds. My responsibility is to find local talent, spot the talent and guide people towards taking up cricket professionally.”