Ash to leave Accrington
Tuesday August 6th 2013

Ashar Zaidi ©Nigel Stockley

Ashar Zaidi has decided not to re-sign for Lancashire League leaders Accrington for the 2014 season.

The 32 year-old has played a key role in Accrington's seemingly unstoppable march to the Lancashire League title, scoring 1045 runs at 61.5, including three centuries and taking 64 wickets at 12.2. The left handed all rounder is the leading run scorer and the leading wicket taker in the Lancashire League season.

Zaidi is in his third season at Accrington who have won the Holland Cup in his first two seasons at the club and the Ron Singleton Colne Trophy this season. Accrington are currently 47 points clear at the top of the table and need just 26 points from their remaining six matches to win the title.

In his three seasons at Accrington, Zaidi has scored 2685 runs at 47.9 with seven centuries and fourteen half centuries. With the ball, Zaidi has taken 215 wickets at 12.6 with seventeen five wicket hauls.

Accrington 1st Team Manager Ian Wilson said: "We are all disappointed that Ashar has decided not to return in 2014, but fully understand that he has had offers considerably in excess of the current budget that Accrington Cricket Club has available for a professional. In his three seasons with the club he has proved what a terrific cricketer he is and also been a great addition to the dressing room. We wish him well in the future and hope that he will be able to come back to see us when he is able. In the meantime he remains as focused as ever on the rest of the games between now and the end of the season and we must now start the hunt for a new professional. On a personal note, it has been a pleasure working with Ashar on and off the field and I wish him every success wherever he plays his cricket".