COVERED SPRING 2020

COVERED 12 TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK WORK REST & PLAY WITH THE OUTLAWS Book your club tour at West Bridgford today, call 0345 129 6810 or come down and see us: Rugby Rd, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7HX “It was the most peaceful, serene place. It allowed me to reconnect with so many things, and it will help me with my cricket. “Ten days was too short. I wish I could have had more time there. “I’ve learned that my faith and my cricket go beautifully hand-in-hand. My faith is the most important thing to me, and then it’s cricket, which is my main passion and what I absolutely love doing. “They have a lovely balance together in my life. I’m by no means perfect. There are many better examples of people out there than me, but I’m finding my own way, doing things the best way I can and that’s all I can do.” When it comes to making the most of his move, Haseeb knows he has been bestowed quite the role-model in fellow Lancastrian and Nottinghamshire Club Captain, Steven Mullaney. Mullaney made the same move at a similar age back in 2010 and has since become synonymous with his adopted county. It’s a journey Haseeb hopes to replicate. “What I love about Mull is that he’s very proud of where he comes from – as am I, as everyone is – but his passion for Nottinghamshire is incredible,” he says. “In a beautiful way, he’s still like a big kid in terms of how much he loves everything about Notts and about cricket. “There are a few lads in the squad like that. Fletch (Luke Fletcher) is another good example. “Mull made a similar move from Lancashire. It boded well for him. Hopefully it can have a similar impact on me and my career.” It’s not disrespectful to Mullaney, however, to point out that his arrival in the East Midlands flew far more under the media radar than the man he is now welcoming. In cricketing circles at least, Haseeb’s move was big news. Clear in thought, likable in personality and eloquent in speech, he is relaxed about the media spotlight. “I’m not someone who minds speaking to the media and things like that, as long as it’s done in the right way,” he says. “It’s the world we live in. You have to get used to these things. For me, the attention went up massively playing for England in India. “I’m quite lucky in a way because I have always fitted into different communities and people have always shown an interest in me, for different reasons, throughout my life. “Being from an Indian background, being a Muslim, being from Bolton, playing for England – it’s fine with me. I’m comfortable with it.” Arriving Trent-side with 63 First-Class appearances – and five centuries – under his belt, Haseeb’s pedigree against the red-ball is currently elevated compared to the white. His signing, therefore, coincides nicely with a season in which great emphasis will be placed on Nottinghamshire’s performances in the County Championship.