\n<\/p>\n
Adnan, now 18, will not play on the final day of the Second XI match against Yorkshire on Thursday as he has one of his final school exams.<\/p>\n
Still, he managed to make an impression. <\/p>\n
Batting at number 10 and with Barry among the crowd, he scored 25 not out with the bat and followed with two wickets with his left-arm pace.<\/p>\n
The wickets? <\/p>\n
Jonny Tattersall, who captained Yorkshire last year, and Matthew Revis who was playing for the White Rose first team two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
The Yorkshire XI also included Jafer Chohan, the leg-spinner called up by England last year, and other first team players including Finlay Bean, Will Luxton and Matt Milnes.<\/p>\n
Flintoff has been keeping an eye.<\/p>\n
“Some journeys are longer and harder,” he posted on social media on Wednesday. “I’m so proud of this fine young man.”<\/p>\n
“Can’t tell how much I’m happy,” Adnan posted on Instagram. <\/p>\n
“Thank you very much to anyone that helped me and support me in my cricketing journey so far thank you.”<\/p>\n
Flintoff, Barry and his partner Elaine Jefferson have been three of those to help Adnan most.<\/p>\n
Adnan originally claimed asylum in a Preston police station, having fled Afghanistan and travelled across Europe on his own.<\/p>\n
“He walked through the door and was wearing pair of jeans, holding a belt and a tatty pair of trainers,” said Elaine.<\/p>\n
“He stood there and couldn’t speak a word of English. He was terrified.”<\/p>\n
The first series of Field of Dreams told the story of how his application for asylum in the UK was rejected, but in 2022 his second bid was granted. <\/p>\n
It came after Flintoff wrote to the Home Office as part of the application.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, Adnan was given a place at Rossall School, a prestigious boarding school in Lancashire, and played for Lancashire’s Under-18 team.<\/p>\n
“He is cricket mad but needed something different, to be training hard,” Barry said.<\/p>\n
“That is exactly what he has done. He has worked extremely hard.”<\/p>\n
Once his exams are done, Adnan’s next aim is the toughest – earning a professional cricket contract.<\/p>\n
“I think he is good enough but I might be biased,” added Barry.<\/p>\n
“That’s what he wants. Preferably with Lancashire, but we don’t know where he will end up.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n