Bradford's Ajmal Shahzad, who grew up with Bradford League club Windhill, yesterday made history by becoming the first Yorkshire-born cricketer with an ethnic background to play for the White Rose county.

Ajmal, 18, who attends Woodhouse Grove School at Apperley Bridge, was drafted into Yorkshire Phoenix's side at the last minute for their totesport League match against Worcestershire Royals at Headingley.

He was given his chance to boost Yorkshire's injury-hit attack after grabbing five wickets for 20 runs in 11 overs for the county club's Academy side in their Yorkshire League game with Sheffield Collegiate at Abbeydale Park on Saturday.

The eyes of the cricketing world have been on Yorkshire for the past 20 years or so to see who would become their first ethnic player and Ajmal has achieved the distinction after making rapid progress this season with Yorkshire Seconds and the Academy.

In an exclusive interview minutes after learning of his selection from Yorkshire captain, Craig White, Ajmal said: "It is an awesome feeling to be the first ethnic cricketer born in Yorkshire to be chosen for the county.

"I hope I will be seen as a perfect role model from the Asian community and I look upon this as the first stage in realising my ambition of playing regularly for Yorkshire.

"I feel sure that my presence in the side will help to increase interest in Yorkshire from within the community and that other youngsters and friends will want to try to play alongside me and get more involved with the club.

"My dad, Mohammad Shahzad, was really chuffed to bits when I told him the news and he will be very proud of me.

"It was my dad who first took me to Windhill, where I was very well looked after, and he has supported me all the way."

Ajmal was born in Huddersfield but his family moved to Bradford when he was three or four and they have lived in the city ever since.

He attended Bradford Grammar School until going to Woodhouse Grove two years ago and he is currently in the sixth form and preparing for his A levels.

White said of Ajmal: "He is a player of massive potential who listens to what he is being told.

"He is determined to be successful and he thoroughly deserves his chance.

"We will give opportunities to youngsters who prove they are worth it and Ajmal was in the right place at the right time on Saturday, taking five wickets for the Academy."

Ajmal's cricket coach at Woodhouse Grove is former England and Surrey all-rounder, Graham Roope, who said: "He is an exceptionally good bowler and batsman for his age and far in advance of the young cricketers he plays with and against at schools' level.

"We did not have a particularly strong side at Woodhouse Grove until Ajmal came but he was far too lively for our opponents and he has made a huge difference.

"Last year, he scored 133 and then took seven for nine against Arnold School from near Blackpool and already this season he has taken seven for virtually nothing against Kirkham School, all of his victims being clean bowled.

"I am not in the least surprised that he has gone and made his debut with Yorkshire.

"Once when I was talking to him I mentioned that Surrey were looking for a bowling all-rounder but he said that he was not interested because all he wanted to do was play for Yorkshire."

Yorkshire's director of cricket, Geoff Cope, said: "Ajmal's inclusion makes this a massive day for Yorkshire cricket.

"Yorkshire have never buckled under the considerable pressure to play an ethnic cricketer and Ajmal has made it because he is very talented - and a Yorkshireman.

"We have seen Ajmal make great progress despite the added pressure of the likelihood of becoming Yorkshire's first Asian player and he has coped with it very well indeed."