Fifteen year-old Hashir plays for Mumbai’s U16s and former Indian Test Captain, Dilip Vengsarkar’s Academy and has already gained a reputation for his handling of the bat at the crease.
Vengsrakar, current Chairman of Selectors for India, is the only international batsman to have scored three test hundreds at Lords and Hashir is hoping to follow firmly in his footsteps.
The exchange programme exposes top cricketers from India to different playing conditions, educational systems and cultures. It was initiated by former England Universities cricketer and surgeon, Dr Samir Pathak and Cheadle Hulme School’s Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Mr John Wilson.
Commenting on his experience with the School’s First XI so far, Hashir said: “It’s obviously colder here and that makes for a much slower wicket than I’m used to. It means you have more time and can play with greater power.
“English cricket is very different; there is a much more patient approach to the game than in India, where we play with more attack.”
The fourth Indian cricketer to visit the School since the exchange initiative began, Hashir will be joined by Mumbai U16’s Prithvi Shaw when the School take on Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) this month. Prithvi was the first young player to take part in the initiative in 2012.
Mr Wilson said: “It is an honour to welcome Hashir to Cheadle Hulme School. He is a superb ambassador for India and for cricket. Hashir and his team-mates here at CHS are learning from one another about the game and understanding its values and benefits. They are also engaging with new cultural contexts in an invaluable way.
“We are very grateful to the generous support network of host families and local business who have helped make his time here so successful.”
Dr Pathak said: “It is wonderful to see young, talented cricketers being given this opportunity. I am very grateful to Cheadle Hulme School for being the first British school to initiate the programme and move it from strength to strength.
Hashir is also joining students in lessons at the independent school and is being hosted by students and their families throughout his stay.
He said: “This is the first time I have been to Europe and it’s been great so far, I’m really enjoying it.”
