ALL-ROUNDER MALIK HEADING TO ALSAGER FOR 2022 NSSCL CAMPAIGN

CRICKET: Former Newcastle & Hartshill and Betley all-rounder Nasir Malik has signed for Alsager. The North Staffs and South Cheshire League Division Two club have reached an agreement for the 30-year-old Pakistani performer to be their overseas player next summer.

Malik, a left-arm quick and right-handed batsman, will be reacquainted with the league after enjoying successful years earlier in his career.

Malik, who also spent time at Moddershall, enjoyed two summers with both Castle and Betley.

He was close to 1,000 runs for both clubs during his time - scoring one century for each - but it was his bowling which proved to be the stand-out.

The Rawalpindi-born seamer scooped 127 wickets for Newcastle & Hartshill in 2013 and 2014, before taking 106 for Betley in 2015 and 2016.

His best performance saw him take 8-53 for Castle in a victory over Bagnall in the 2013 campaign. He proved to be a lucky charm for Newcastle & Hartshill and Betley - winning promotions with both clubs.

Castle finished as runners-up in Division Two in his first season before winning the Division One title the following season.

And his first year at Betley, in 2015, saw them win Division One before securing a highlyrespectable seventh-placed finish in the top flight in 2016. Malik enjoyed a decent first-class career back home in Pakistan, taking 168 wickets in 36 matches, including 11 five-wicket hauls. He was also capped by his country at under-19 level before enjoying his first taste of playing club cricket in England.

Alsager finished the 2021 season in eighth place in Division Two with nine wins and nine defeats from their 22 matches.

Alsager tweeted: “We are pleased to announce the signing of Nasir Malik for the 2022 season as our overseas.

“Nasir is a genuine all-rounder who bowls left-arm seam and is a right-handed batsman. Welcome to Alsager, Nasir!”

· SANDYFORD’S annual beer festival continues tonight at their Shelford Road headquarters.

It is the 14th staging of the event, which will run until Sunday.

The club is open from 7pm until 11pm tonight, 3pm until 11pm on Saturday and noon until 6pm on Sunday. Entry is free and there will be live entertainment tonight and tomorrow. All beers and ciders are priced at £3.