Bradfordian Moin Ashraf has received a congratulations message from Barack Obama upon Yorkshire reaching today’s Friends Life t20 Finals Day at Cardiff.

Welcome to the world of parody Twitter accounts!

It is all the rage in social networking at present. Just ask Kevin Pietersen, who got himself in a tizz when an account was set up parodying him under the name of @KPGenius.

To the majority of folk the tweets were hilarious, but not to Pietersen.

Well, up and coming fast bowler Ashraf is also the subject of a similar parody account under the name of @OfficialMoinA23.

But there is a big difference – Ashraf, who will line up against Sussex in the first semi-final this morning, loves his.

Without lifting a finger, the 20-year-old has gained widespread notoriety. The account has got over 5,000 followers, including most of the Yorkshire dressing room, which is more than double the number following Ashraf’s regular account.

Tweets appear regularly suggesting Official Moin bowls searing 95mph yorkers and is the greatest thing since sliced bread, while the account recently renamed the Olympics ‘the Molympics’.

Altered song lyrics about Official Moin’s bowling exploits are also regularly seen.

The identity of the person behind it has remained secret, with even Ashraf not 100 per cent sure who it is.

“A lot of names have been thrown about and I’m not accusing him, but I’ve got a strange feeling it’s Ryan Sidebottom,” said the real Moin, who has excelled with 14 wickets from ten t20 matches this summer.

“He comes into the dressing room acting like he doesn’t know what Official Moin’s written but the lyrics to the songs that have been posted are the type Ryan listens to.

“It’s making me quite famous actually. It’s all good humour. I did see that Obama one. It’s easy to doctor but that did make me laugh. To have Barack Obama tweeting about Yorkshire cricket is hilarious.”

While twenty20 is perfect for such fun and frolics, things have now got serious for Yorkshire as they seek a maiden t20 title And Ashraf – the real one – is in confident mood: “To get to our first Finals Day is a great achievement,” he added.

“If you’re going to win tournaments, you’ve got to beat the best. Sussex have been very impressive this season. We’ve just to go out there and hope that we have our on day. We’re confident.”