NADEEM Ashraf of Millennium smashed the Accrington and District Cricket League batting record for most runs in a season on Saturday at Wilsons.

The 26-year-old, left handed opening batsman also became the first player in the league's 99 season history to score 500 runs in a season. The former Red Rose Taxis, Asad, Supreme Frames and Zorba Kebab House star, needed just 13 runs to pass former team-mate Faisal Janjua's 1995 record of 495 runs.

Nadeem has played in the league since 1992. The following season he scored his first century, 132 not out against Taverners B on Highams for Red Rose Taxis. In 1994 he was a member of the Red Rose side that won the B Division championship and a year later, the Harry Wood Cup. Last season, Nadeem scored a competition record 98 not out for Zorba Kebab House in the Mayoral 10 over, six-a-side defeat of Lancashire League club Rishton.

This season in 11 innings he has only twice failed to make double figures, scoring his second league century, 122 not out against Manchester Road. The talented left hander has also scored three half centuries, 91 against Taverners A, 55 against Haslingden Methodists and 58 against Manchester Road. With two matches to go it seems certain that the new record will be nearer 600 runs than 500 before the season ends.

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