YOUNG cricketer Haseeb Hameed is determined to seize his England opportunity with both hands during this month's tour of Bangladesh.
The 19-year-old Boltonian earned a first call-up to the Test squad after a landmark debut season for Lancashire saw him score more than 1,000 first-class runs, including four centuries and seven half-centuries.
His remarkable campaign saw him win the club's main player of the year award and now the former Farnworth Social Circle batsman and Bolton School pupil hopes to take that form to the international stage with England.
With skipper Alastair Cook temporarily back in England for the birth of his second child, Hameed has a chance to stake a claim for a start in Thursday's first Test in Chittagong in this weekend's warm-up games, though yesterday's first day of two against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI day fell victim to bad weather.
Already enjoying his first time with the national squad, Hameed wants to make it a regular occurrence and shine if he plays this weekend in Cook's absence.
He told Lancashire's YouTube channel: "The way I have to look at it is that this is just the start.
"After a good first full year to get the call to play would be amazing.
"It will be an extremely proud moment.
"But then the next step for me has to be to put in good performances for England and cement that spot.
"It never stops – you have to keep progressing, keep developing and never be satisfied."
If Hameed is picked for the first Test, he would become England's youngest ever opening batsman.
And while he expects a tough test in the sub-continent, he wants to make the most of the experience of playing alongside the country's best cricketers.
He added: "I spent a few days with England when I was 12th man for the Test this summer at Old Trafford.
"They were a great bunch of lads then and having spoken to Jimmy (Anderson), it is a very easy dressing room to walk into.
"There are some great players in that team so I will be looking to pick their brains.
"It will be a great feeling walking out with them.
"I think Bangladesh are a very strong side – especially in their home conditions.
"They will make it tough for us, I'm sure.
"They will bowl plenty of spin and I have prepared myself for that.
"I have played in the sub-continent before and it is different.
"The conditions and the heat is all different from here but it is something I am looking forward to."
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