From community to county level, a story of how grassroots Asian cricket went professional.

Yorkshire based journalist and cricket fan Nasser Hanif explores recordings he made for the archive project “From Parks to Pavilions” which documented how Asian community cricket developed from its roots on the backstreets through to the formation of the first leagues and up to county level and beyond.

It’s a story that reflects society at the time, looks into immigration and cultural differences and asks how the sport can create a climate where diversity flourishes.

The project was produced by a Bradford community organisation AYA in 2016 and was originally broadcast on local BBC radio across England.

Producer: Nasser Hanif.

Digital producer: Rachael Smith.

Executive producer: Kathryn Morrison.

With thanks to:

Mobeen Butt for the use of this archive.

Photograph by Mohanlal Mistry.

The ‘From Parks to Pavilions’ project was developed and delivered by the AYA Foundation with support from Bradford Local Studies Libraries, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.