Kashif Ali's Self-belief Brings Rewards

Self-belief and persistence have been the keys to Kashif Ali making a successful transition from National Counties cricket to the first-class ranks with Worcestershire.

The 25-year-old right-handed batter spent two years on the MCC Young Cricketers’ scheme at Lord’s and trialled with five counties – Essex, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire – without being offered a contract.

But Ali never lost the belief that he had the ability to step up to first-class level and gave himself the best possible chance of being picked up by a county by playing two seasons of National Counties cricket with Bedfordshire, for the newly-formed South Asian Cricket Academy last summer and for Rawalakot Hawks in a successful stint in the Kashmir Premier League T20 competition in 2021.

Alis persistence paid off when he impressed Kadeer Ali, the former Staffordshire captain who is now Worcestershire’s assistant coach, while on trial at New Road last summer.

The county contract that Ali had sought – an initial three-month deal – arrived after he made a double century against Somerset in a Second XI Championship match at Stourport in July.

That innings earned Ali a first-class debut against Derbyshire the following week, which he celebrated with a half-century, and a two-year contract was signed after he made a century on his List A debut against Kent in the Royal London Cup in early August.

Ali’s story is one that should encourage and inspire other talented young cricketers who spend time trialling around and whose self-belief and confidence is dented if they are rejected.

“I always had the belief that I could become a first-class cricketer it was just a case of getting that opportunity,” Ali said.

“I had about five years trialling around without getting a contract and that was tough at times. But you have got to have the self-belief that you are good enough to make it. Don’t get disheartened because it only needs a couple of innings for things to turn round for you.

“When you are trialling around it’s important that you focus on your next game. You need to concentrate on playing the best cricket you can in that match and not to get distracted by thinking about what might or might not happen in the future.”

Having reliable people around who can offer support and advice is also important and Bedfordshire captain Ed Ballard is among those Ali is grateful to for helping him reach his goal of becoming a county cricketer.

“There are four people who I am particularly grateful to for the support they have given me,” Ali said.

“Ed Ballard was a great help to me when I was playing for Bedfordshire and the encouragement that he gave me.

“Kadeer Ali invited me for a trial with Worcestershire at the start of last season which led to them offering me that first contract.

“Tom Brown, who runs the SACA scheme, also gave me the opportunity to play games for them and Bilal Shafayat, who I played with for the Cavaliers & Carrington club in Nottingham, also really helped me and gave me lots of good advice and encouragement.”

Playing National Counties cricket was also an important part in Ali’s development as it meant he as able to play competitive senior cricket across all formats between his trial spells which kept him in the shop window.

“Playing for Bedfordshire was very important for me because the standard of cricket at National Counties level is excellent. You come up against a lot of former county pros, young players who are on county staffs and other players who are trying to get a contract so it’s very competitive.”

Ali will be available to play for Bedfordshire again this summer when his Worcestershire commitments permit but, for the moment, his focus is on completing his preparations for his first full season as a professional cricketer.

“We’ve just got back from a camp at Desert Springs in Spain and are now training outdoors at Kidderminster,” he said.

“Having had my first experience of county cricket last season I’m really looking forward to this season.”