England newcomer Ajmal Shahzad is relishing the chance to learn more about the art of fast bowling after having his first lesson on sub-continental wickets.

Yorkshire star Shahzad is on his first senior England tour in Bangladesh, where the pitches are a far cry from the seamer-friendly square at Headingley.

But the 24-year-old Bradford paceman, who picked up one for 42 in yesterday’s first warm-up match against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI, is eager to use the alien environment to become a more rounded performer.

England face the BCB in Fatullah again tomorrow and former Woodhouse Grove pupil Shahzad would be happy to get another run-out on the abrasive Bangladeshi tracks.

He said: “I’m enjoying the opportunity and learning massively from everyone. It is really great to be here.

“It’s hard work but I’m really enjoying myself and hoping to learn a lot.

“It’s not like hitting the pitch at Headingley, where you think ‘I’m going to get a bit out of this’.

I was running in yesterday and the first three balls did a little bit. After that, absolutely nothing. I was gutted.”

Former Bradford University student Shahzad is particularly keen to develop his understanding of reverse swing.

He bowls at sufficient pace to utilise the skill but is quick to shoot down suggestions that he has mastered it yet.

“I’m here to learn and I want to learn the art of reverse swing, learn about the right areas on sub-continental wickets,” he said.

“There are rumours going round that I’ve been brought into the squad to provide reverse swing. I naturally swing the ball in and away, the red ball that is, but I’m here to learn about the art of reverse swing.

“I’ve got it to go slightly both ways in the nets and hopefully I can take that into future games, if selected.”