Ashraf steps in for Accrington

April 20th 2002

Cherry Tree professional Naeem Ashraf will stand in for Accrington in their opening match of the season against Colne at Thorneyholme Road on Sunday.

Ashrafis a left handed batsman and a left arm fast medium pace bowler from Lahore, Pakistan. Naeem plays for National Bank of Pakistan and Lahore Cricket Association. He 28 has also played in 2 One Day Internationals for Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Sharjah in the 1994 - 1995 season.

Naeem first played in the Ribblesdale League for Read in 1995, taking 60 wickets and scoring 379 runs. Cherry Tree signed him in 1997 and he repaid them by leading them to a league and cup double in his first season at the club, taking 100 league and cup wickets and striking a total of 51 sixes, including the winning hit in the Ramsbottom Cup Final. The following season he again took Cherry Tree to Ramsbottom Cup success. In 2001 he led Cherry Tree to the league title, taking 55 wickets and scoring 702 runs.