Former Bradford League professional Numan Shabbir is urging local clubs and communities to support two open days aimed at catapulting young Asian cricketers towards a successful career in the sport.

Shabbir, who starred for Eccleshill, Manningham Mills and Idle, as well as being national coach for the Pakistan under-17 side, is running special nets at Manningham Sports Centre and West Park Centre in West Bowling - two of several Ethnic Minority Development Centres operating in West Yorkshire.

The centres have financial backing from the Yorkshire Cricket Board and Bradford Council.

The hope is that a Test star of the future might be unearthed among the raw talent on show. During an illustrious careeer, Shabbir has helped discover several Pakistan Test stars including Shahid Afridi and Azhar Mahmood.

The open days are running on Sunday, January 26 between 10am and 1pm at Manningham Sports Centre, and between 1pm and 3pm at West Park.

It is expected that up to 100 youngsters aged between eight and 15 will be attracted to the events.

"I hope cricket clubs, communities and schools respond to us," said Shabbir, who will be one of seven coaches at

the events. "We have written to clubs and schools.

"The centres are a bridge between Yorkshire and the county. We recommend good players to Yorkshire - and we know there is an awful lot of promising young talent here in Bradford. We can help them with technique and mental approach.

"A number of our youngsters have made it to the school of excellence."

Haroon Rashid, who is now a contract player with Yorkshire, was one of several excellent local players helped by the Development Centre scheme.

Shabbir also helped Haroon's brother Adil with his coaching and arranged for him to have a personal session with Pakistan spin wizard Abdul Qadir.

Many Bradford League clubs now believe that the way forward is developing young talent.

Cash-strapped Bradford League club Salts are attempting to create their own cricket academy rather than pay to bring foreign young stars to their club.

Secretary, Peter Fazackerley said: "We have some very good 13 and 14-year-olds at the club and we want to develop them into future first-team players.

"We are hoping to start indoor cricket nets for the youngsters soon. The way forward is bringing on young talent and the Development Centre trials are an excellent initiative."

Many Asian cricketers have made an immense impact on the Bradford League over the years.

Last season Naveed Rana-ul-Hassan was a revelation for Pudsey Congs, on occasions almost single-handedly destroying the opposition.

The Pakistani took nine for 47 against Lightcliffe and eight for 55 against Spen Victoria on two memorable occasions. Gurdev Singh was also impressive with the ball for Pudsey St Lawrence, while Spen Victoria all-rounder Rao Anjum won plaudits.

Tariq Aziz (Pudsey St Lawrence), Mohammed Hafeez (Idle), and Faisal Naved (Great Horton) - to name but a few - were also star turns.