A cricketer hit a sensational career best of 221 in a Bradford league.

It all the more remarkable as he only opened the batting when a fellow player was running late after forgetting his kit at home!

Adam Ahmed was playing for New Farnley CC against Bankfoot Cricket Club in the Bradford Premier Cricket League on the Sunday (3 September).

The 24-year-old struck eight sixes and 26 fours in 151 balls on his way to the double hundred at the Barry Jackson Ground. He was just six runs short of the Premier Division’s highest individual score of 227 not out by set by England international Alex Lees for Lightcliffe against Bradford & Bingley in 2017.

The former Durham academy player becomes the first British Pakistani to score a double hundred in the history of the Bradford premier league since it was founded in 1902.

His side finished on 446 for 4, with fellow batters all chipping in with half centuries the highest score in the Premier Division.

Asian Image: Adam Ahmed scored 221 for New Farnley CC in the New Farnley CC

Adam said: “I was more nervous closing in on the first century to be honest.

“As I passed that I got more relaxed and then as the double century edged closer the nerves kicked in again. 

“Once I passed that then I got told the league record was within my sights.”

Adam said it was only by chance he took to the field, “Well, the skipper was coming from Hull and forgot his kit was not going to make it in time.

“I normally bat at five or six and volunteered to open. So did another player. So, we tossed for it and I got selected.”

Ahmed’s heroics over the season have helped his side win the Heavy Woollen Cup. It came on the back of a league and cup double last year when he was playing for Cavaliers & Carrington Cricket Club.

The all-rounder recorded impressive stats in his debut season for saw New Farnley finish fourth in the batting averages for the Bradford League Premier Division scoring 444 league runs with an average of 55.50. The left-hand batter scored a total of 547 club runs averaging 45.58.

Along with his batting performances Ahmed also accumulated 50 club wickets averaging 17.72 with a best of 5-44.

The left-arm spinner also finished 8th in the league for bowling averages having taken 39 league wickets averaging 17.72.