Zain Syed & Zaman Shafi signed to GCCC Academy
17 March 2023
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce two new players to the GCCC Academy for the 2023 season. Zaman Shafi & Zain Syed have been selected for the programme, after demonstrating high potential during the 2022 season and the 2023 winter programme to date.
Both have been rewarded for their efforts with Academy places. Zaman and Zain join the current cohort of Tommy Boorman, Archie Bailey, Ahmed Syed, and Max Dunne. The group trains together among other selected players on Sundays and Wednesday nights during the winter months.
Interim Head of Talent Pathway Mark Thorburn said ‘’It is an exciting time for our Academy with the addition of these two quality players who have shown their capabilities already within the Gloucestershire Pathway. Zaman is an exciting prospect as a wicket keeper and left-handed batter, working hard on his glove work throughout the winter with pathway coach Jon Tegg as well as impressing last season when stepping up to the U18s as a 15-year-old during the ECB 3-day competition. Zain, who is younger brother of fellow Academy Player Ahmed Syed is a top order right-handed batter. He had an impressive 2022 season scoring over 900 runs for the Gloucestershire pathway, including 7 half centuries, he has an exciting future ahead of him and we are really excited to work with both players.’’
Upon their selections, Zaman who plays for Golden Hill CC and attends Clifton College school said ‘’It is a real honour to be selected for the Gloucestershire Academy and has been a dream of mine since I have started playing for the U10s County Age Group side. I really want to make the most of this opportunity and aspire to get a Gloucestershire Professional Contract as well as play for the England Lions in the future. I would like to thank the coaches who have got me to this position. The likes of Paul Muchall, Richard Trotman and Jon Tegg have been brilliant in the continuation of my development.’’
Zain who players for Thornbury CC and also attends Clifton College school said ‘‘Getting into the Academy is an opportunity for me to work really hard this winter and showcase my skills to be the best player I can be. All coaches within the Gloucestershire set up have really inspired me and helped me reach this point within my career. One of my favourite Gloucestershire Senior players is Chris Dent who also featured in the Academy, so it is an honour to be a part of this programme.’’
Zain & Zaman will both be playing this season in our New Balance Playing Kits who are sponsored by Walker Logistics (front of shirt sponsor), Astra Security (sleeve sponsor) and Bristol Fire (back of shirt sponsor). The Gloucestershire Pathway would like to thank these sponsors for their continued support for the 2023 season.
Check out a few video highlights below of both Zaman & Zain on our latest upload on the Gloucestershire Young Cricketers YouTube channel!