Wolverhampton student gets England call-up for Indoor Cricket World Cup

Ali Tariq, aged 21, will be competing for the England 21-and-under men’s team at the 2017 World Indoor Cricket Federation (WICF) World Cup in Dubai next month.

The Wolverhampton Cricket Club player will be testing his skills against the best talent from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

He said: “It feels like an honour to represent England in the sport that I love. After being brought up from a young age playing cricket, I feel I have accomplished my dream.

"I have always fantasised about having an official top with my name on the back and now I can’t believe this is really happening.

“England has never won an indoor World Cup across any category. They have reached the knockout stages a handful of times but have never been successful. We feel very confident this year and maybe this year could be ours."

WATCH Ali react to call-up news:

Mr Tariq graduates this year after combining elite cricket with a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree at the University of Wolverhampton's Institute of Sport.

Dr Chris Sellars, Deputy Director of the University’s Institute of Sport, said: “We are all very proud and excited for Ali, this is a great opportunity for him to experience an exciting international tournament and in doing so represent his country.

"Hopefully he will be able to apply some of his Sport and Exercise Science skills developed on his course. We all wish him the very best of luck."