Former School Captain picked for the upcoming Test tour against Pakistan
Old Hamptonian and Surrey County cricketer Zafar Ansari received his first call-up to the England Test Squad to face Pakistan in the upcoming series in the United Arab Emirates. Unfortunately Zafar sustained an injury on the day of his selection and there is still doubt as to whether he will recover in time.
Zafar’s potential was evident from his early days at Hampton where he played for the School’s 1st XI for five years. He won the award as the leading all-rounder in schools’ cricket from the Wisden Cricket Society in 2010.
In his final season for Hampton, Zafar took 35 wickets at an average of 10.87 and scored a phenomenal eight centuries with 1111 runs at an average of 101.
Zafar not only shone on the sportsfield but in the classroom, achieving a double first from Cambridge University. He signed a professional contract with Surrey in 2010 and has since played 150 matches for the county side in all forms of the game.
Head of Cricket at Hampton, Mr Ami Banerjee summed up the feelings of all at the School:
“This is excellent news and well deserved for Zafar who is a genuine all-rounder. A player and a gentleman like Zafar is a jewel for any international side and we congratulate him and wish him all the best for the tour.”
A delighted Zafar said he was surprised to be called-up at this stage in his career:
“Going into this season it wasn’t on my radar. I just wanted to have a solid, consistent season with Surrey and establish myself a bit more. Things have gone my way and this is what happens when that happens.”
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