Adnan Miakhel, one of the heroes of the hit BBC TV show, Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams, impressed on his debut for Lancashire’s second team as they toiled against a strong Yorkshire side at Northern CC.
Miakhel, whose story of arriving in the UK on the back of a lorry from Afghanistan captured the nation’s hearts on the BBC documentary, was the star member of the team of disadvantaged boys from the Preston area assembled by former England captain, Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff.
The 18-year-old made his debut for the Red Rose’s second string against a Yorkshire line-up packed with first-team regulars in a three-day game at the picturesque club in Crosby.
Although Lancashire were made to suffer by their more experienced opponents, Miakhel was one of the bright spots as he took the next step on his cricketing journey.
Adnan Miakhel and Ollie Sutton in the field for Lancashire 2nd XI at Northern CC
Adnan Miakhel impresses for Lancashire’s Second XI
At the end of day two, Lancashire need a miracle to save the game against Yorkshire, as their bowling attack was put to the sword in the sweltering heat.
Having bowled the hosts out for 159 in the first innings, Yorkshire amassed a huge total of 622/7 before declaring late in the day. Lancashire lost one wicket in the 12 overs of their second innings, to leave them needing 414 runs to avoid an innings defeat with nine wickets in hand.
However, was Miakhel one of the most impressive performers on his first appearance. He scored a backs-to-the-wall 25 with the bat in the first innings to add a degree of respectability to the Lancashire score.
Miakhel then bowled with pace and aggression on a flat wicket, as no member of the Lancashire attack enjoyed sustained success.
The 18-year-old took the prized wicket of Yorkshire’s Jonny Tattersall, who captained the club in the second half of their 2024 County Championship season. He also took a catch in the deep to remove Yorkshire centurion Harry Duke off the bowling of Haider Hussain.
The consensus among the small crowd of Lancashire members enjoying the sunshine at Northern was that Mikhael was the pick of the bowlers on show, as he finished with 1-72 from his 12 overs.
Lancashire 2nd XI take on Yorkshire at Northern CC
Experienced Yorkshire line-up puts Lancashire to the sword
Although Lancashire struggled to make inroads on a challenging day, and look destined for a heavy defeat, they battled bravely against a star-studded Yorkshire side.
Centurions Finlay Bean, Matthew Revis and Harry Duke all have significant experience in the Yorkshire first-team. Bean scored two centuries opening the batting for Yorkshire last season. Tattersall also has four first-class hundreds to his name.
Recent Lancashire debutant Ollie Sutton also featured in the game as he looks to force his way back into the first-team after debuting against Middlesex.
Despite a difficult day, the experience of facing several first-class can only stand Lancashire’s inexperienced bowling attack in good stead for the rest of the season.
(Feature image by Robert McHugh)
