Shahzad is eager to soak up knowledge on tour

The 24-year-old, who only established himself in Yorkshire's first-class team last season before being named the players' player of the year, has had an eventful start to his international career.

His call-up last month by national selector Geoff Miller came as a complete surprise as he thought he had been overlooked for the England Lions.

Now he is on tour with England in the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, the drama continues.

He was handed his debut in the second Twenty20 meeting with Pakistan in Dubai last week where his first ball in an England shirt was heaved straight back over his head for four by Imran Nasir. But he bounced straight back to pick up two wickets in the same over.

It had the look of a fairytale beginning for Shahzad until he made a mess of a catch off the bowling of Stuart Broad and was then hit for 17 in the penultimate over, Abdul Razzaq taking his side to victory with two huge sixes.

But the bubbly Yorkshireman has not been adversely affected by the experience and was quickly back into action in the 112-run win over a BCB XI in Fatullah on Tuesday.

He took 1-42 in that game and lines up against the same opposition at the same venue today, conscious that he is getting vaulable experience with every game.

Shahzad said: "It's a step up, I noticed that as soon as we got here. It's a new thing for me, a massive eye opener. I got my first game out of the way and the first few overs went well for me.

"When I got the two wickets I thought 'This is a bit too easy, it's going to get more difficult'.

"Then at the end...well, Razzaq is one of the best hitters in the world and he smashed me miles.

"I just want to play my next game now so I can prove to any doubters that I'm up for the step up and I'm ready for it."

Shahzad has been working hard on adapting his game to the different tracks in Bangladesh.

"It's not like hitting the pitch at Headingley where you think 'I'm going to get a bit out of this'," said Shahzad, who has taken 53 wickets in 22 first-class matches for Yorkshire. "I was running in yesterday and the first three balls did a little bit. After that, absolutely nothing, I was gutted.

"I'm here to learn and I want to learn the art of reverse swing, learn about the right areas on sub-continental wickets."

Shahzad has also been seeking advice from Pakistan legends Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

Shahzad's father is Pakistani and although the player has only twice visited the country, he remembers being spellbound by the exploits of the pace duo from a young age as they were once the most feared strike pairing in world cricket with their early mastery of reverse swing.

Waqar was in Dubai earlier this month, working as a media pundit, and Shahzad quickly sought him out.

"Waqar came down to speak to (England spin bowling coach) Mushtaq Ahmed and I thought I better grab five minutes of his time and make use of him," said Shahzad. "He was telling me how to grip it. I've spoken to my agent and he is going to let me speak to Wasim when he comes to England this year too.

"I'm enjoying the opportunity and learning massively from everyone. It's hard work here but I'm really enjoying myself and I'm hoping to learn a lot."

Shahzad has no pre-conceptions about his place in team director Andy Flower's pecking order and is ready to give his all for Yorkshire next summer if he is not required by England.

But, like most English cricketers, he cannot help but cast a hopeful eye towards Australia and a trip Down Under next winter.

England Lions recorded a three-wicket win over Pakistan A yesterday as former Yorkshire batsman Michael Lumb's 110 lifted them to their target with an over to spare. Yorkshire's David Wainwright finished the job with the help of a leg bye as England reached 232-7.

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