ADIL Rashid hailed England’s World Cup win as a “dream come true”, adding it gives inspiration to fellow Bradfordians that anything is possible.

In an exclusive interview with the T&A, Bradford born-and-bred Rashid said the victory over New Zealand at Lord’s, in such dramatic circumstances, was testament to the side’s four years of hard work and sacrifice.

He added: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s not sunk in yet - it’s a surreal feeling, winning the World Cup for the first time for England in cricket history.

“It’s a big achievement for myself, family, wife, kids.

“But also, it’s a big achievement from the team point of view.

“It’s quite emotional in the sense that it was all down to this final game, all down to the final over.

“It’s been a good ride, it’s been an emotional time, but ultimately it’s been a great feeling.

“It’s a dream come true.

“When you’re a youngster you watch the World Cup and just imagine yourself and wish ‘one day I hope I play there.’

“That became reality - not just playing it, but winning it. You see it, it’s all about the World Cup, people are remembered for their World Cup wins.

“The teams are remembered for the World Cup wins.

“1992, 1996, 2003, all the World Cups that have gone previously, people remember that.

“This achievement, this for myself being a Bradfordian, it’s a big achievement.

“It means a lot to myself, the wife, kids, mum, dad, family, everybody – it means a lot to all them, all the sacrifices made over the years.

“But also the people of Bradford, how things are possible.

“How people can come from nowhere, in terms of cricket, and become world champions.

“Not just become, but take a big part of that, playing all the games and taking part over the four years.

“It’s been a great journey, it’s been emotional, but it’s been well worth it.”

Rashid - born in Bradford along with England team-mate Jonny Bairstow - shot to local fame when aged just 13 he took all ten wickets for 55 runs in a second XI senior game for Bradford and Bingley against Gomersal in the Bradford League.

The leg-spinner from Heaton proved pivotal in the semi-final against Australia, taking three wickets, including two in one over when England’s opponents were beginning to find some rhythm.

He admits though that nothing compares to the nerves of the final.

Rashid took 0-39 off eight economical overs in helping restrict New Zealand to 241-8.

Then he faced a nervous wait in the dressing room before he came into bat at number ten with the tension almost unbearable.

He came in with the score 227-8 and one over left, witnessing the drama at the other end as Ben Stokes hit a six and then inadvertently diverted the ball for four overthrows in a scramble to avoid being run out.

Rashid didn’t face a ball as he was run out chasing quick runs and ensuring Stokes remained on strike, from where the all-rounder did enough to take the game to a super over and ultimately victory by the tightest of margins.

The leg spinner said: “It doesn’t compare to any T20 competition, no IPL, no nothing.

“This is the world stage, this is the pinnacle of cricket, the highest level. Pressure-wise as well.

“When I came out to bat, we knew we needed 15 off the last over, something like that, Stokes was batting.

“In the dressing room, we had that belief, knowing that if one of the players was still out there, so Stokesy was out there at the time, if he stayed until the end, we’ve got a great chance.

“So we had that belief, I knew what I had to do.

“I had to sacrifice my wicket for him to be on strike, that’s why the run-out came.

“That was the main thing and that was a good thing that happened because that then gave us the chance to win the game.

“It was nerve-wracking, obviously it was nervous, I’m sure people watching were all nervous thinking ‘oh my God, they’ve not done it, it’s happened again, we’ve not gone through’.

“But we had that belief and we got it down to the super-over because Stokesy played a great knock for us to get to that.”

From there, after yet more drama in that final phase, England were able to make history.

Rashid says he’s mainly celebrated this “once in a lifetime opportunity” with family so far.

There was a rumour that Rashid may receive the “keys to Bradford” in recognition, but the man himself hasn’t heard anything yet and says he’ll see what happens when he gets back to the city.

He added: “I don’t know what the perks are, I don’t know what happens with the keys to Bradford or whatever.

“I’m just doing my job, which is to play cricket, and whatever comes with it, comes with it.

“But ultimately my job first and foremost is to play cricket, is to win games for England, when I’m playing for England and is to contribute to that.”