Kashif Ali thanked Worcestershire and the South Asian Cricket Academy for their support and help after scoring his maiden first class hundred in the Vitality County Championship Division One derby with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Kashif, who last month signed a new four year contract at New Road, responded to going in at number three for only the second time for Worcestershire by hitting 110 of his side’s 316-7 after they had been put into bat by their local rivals.
It was an emotional occasion for Kashif after his battles over several years to become a professional cricketer which eventually saw him show his potential at SACA and then see it recognised by Worcestershire where it is gradually blossoming.
He reached three figures with a six off spinner Danny Briggs and was hugged by Club Captain Brett D’Oliveira.
Kashif said: “I just want to thank hugely SACA and Worcestershire for the opportunities they have given me.
“I feel really humble and blessed at the moment after scoring that first hundred, and thanks for the support they have given me.
“I think SACA is a great platform for players to showcase their skills and they do an amazing job.
“Worcestershire have also backed me so much and there are good platforms out there for people to do well and impress.
“I’m buzzing at the moment, especially with getting that maiden first class hundred at a Test match ground. It is a really good feeling.
“But I’m more pleased for the team in helping them to put together a good total on the first day of the season.
“On that wicket, as a team, we batted really well. It’s just about coming back tomorrow and adding a few more.”
Kashif says the start given to the team by openers Gareth Roderick and Jake Libby was crucial during a stand of 77 and then himself and Roderick got their head down in a crucial post lunch session.
He said: “The openers gave us a great start, seeing the new ball off and giving us a really good partnership to get us going and they laid the foundations for a big total.
“It didn’t feel a free-flowing wicket. It was a hard graft at times and they bowled really well. We just had to bat long, dig in, work for our scores.”
Kashif’s only other chance at number three for Worcestershire came during the second innings of last season’s home win over Glamorgan when he scored 39.
He said: “I’ve spoken to the captain and the coach and the white ball skipper and they asked me and I said I don’t mind batting anywhere at all because I love playing the situation.
“I will go in three, five, seven, wherever they put me. I’ll just try and adapt to the conditions and adapt as best I can.
“As a professional cricketer, I think that’s our job to do that.”
