Schoolboy reunion for Preston captain and pro
Schoolboy reunion for Preston captain and pro
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Preston captain Lukman Vahaluwala went back to his schooldays in India when he helped recruit the club's new professional for 2011.
Saeed Bariwala, an opening batsman and off-spin bowler will take over as professional at West Cliff from the long-serving Bilal Asad.
Bariwala, a UK resident based in Preston has played for Skegness in the Readers Lincolnshire Premier League since 2006. In 2010 he scored 530 runs at an average of 30.22, including four half-centuries and also took 36 wickets at an average of 21.08 with a best return of five for 55. In 2009 Bariwala hit 524 runs for the club at an average of 30.82 including five fifties and took 43 wickets at an average of 19.79.
He has been Skegness CC First XI Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons.
"Saeed is a top player with a real love of playing cricket," says Vahaluwala. "We played against each other back home in Bharuch (near Mumbai) in India 15 years ago in village cricket. We were very young then and it's great that we are now on the same team.
"Saeed is a good player; he's an opening batsman and top off-spin bowler. But the most important thing is that that his enthusiasm for the game is infectious. Players just want to play alongside him. He's a good lad, very keen to play and do well for Preston and that sort of approach will have a big bearing on our season.
"He practiced with us last season and everyone was impressed by him. He's a local lad and is a great signing for us."
With Adam Parker joining Fleetwood, David Fisher moving to champions Leyland and Atul Sachdeva unlikely to be available Preston will need the professional to hit form, along the captain and opener Sajid Patel.
Despite being troubled by a shoulder injury last year Vahaluala hit 441 runs and took 34 wickets while Patel just fell short of 500 runs.
Vahaluwala has also recruited talented batsman/ wicketkeeper Mohsin Modhi from Palace Shield side Whittingham & Goosnargh.
He hopes that the talented McDonald brothers, Pip and Jonty will be available for more games than in recent years after football and rugby commitments and that Yasin Patel stakes a claim for a regular first team place.
"Hopefully we'll have a good side and can challenge for a top-four spot," says Vahaluwala. "We'll have a good batting line-up but the bowling will be a challenge. I am fully recovered from a shoulder injury so that's a plus and hope to bowl a lot of overs this season.
"Our biggest asset this year will be our team spirit. Everyone is pulling together and we have a lot of talented youngsters we are hoping to bring through the ranks. The ground is looking good, we have had a new artificial wicket installed and the square and outfield are in good shape."
Meanwhile Preston Second XI captain Moshin Patel may stand down from the position, though he will remain as a member of the playing squad and also serve on the club committee. A decision will be made shortly.
Lukman Vahaluwala hits out for Preston against the Colts in 2010
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