Yorkshire all-rounder Ajmal Shahzad has followed in the footsteps of England bowlers Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Graham Onions by joining International Sports Management.

The 24-year-old has joined the management stable after a recommendation from former Yorkshire team-mate Michael Vaughan, who is now ISM’s Business Development Manager.

Shahzad has already created history by becoming the first British-born Asian to play for Yorkshire when he made his debut in a one-day match against Worcestershire at Headingley in 2004 and has since established himself as an emerging medium-fast bowler and lower order batsman.

“My aim is to develop enough to play for England and I hope by joining ISM I can follow some of their other cricketers like Flintoff, Harmison, Onions and Vaughan and go on to play international cricket,” he said.

He has already demonstrated his all-round potential by hitting a career best 88 and claiming five wickets to help Yorkshire win their crucial championship match at Hove towards the end of last season and help preserve their first division status.

Neil Fairbrother, ISM’s Cricket Director, added: “We are delighted to welcome such a bright young talent into our ranks. We believe he has a bright future ahead.”