WORCESTERSHIRE rookie Shaftab Khalid continued his remarkable rise to cricketing stardom today when he jetted off from Heathrow to tour Malaysia and India with the England 'A' squad.

Less than 12 months ago the talented 21 year-old off-spinner was an unknown playing club cricket near his London home.

Last season his career took off at New Road which led to a place in the ECB National Academy and a spot in the England 'A' tour party which also includes his County team-mate Kadeer Ali.

Shaftab's fairytale rise to international recognition began when he applied last February for a trial with Worcestershire and impressed director of cricket Tom Moody so much that he was invited back.

"From there I got a contract and played my first game for the first team last season against Oxford UCCE," said Shaftab, who also made appearances in the Twenty20 Cup, National League and County Championship, taking a career-best 4-131 against Northamptonshire.

During his early days he bowled pace but switched to being a spin bowler by teaching himself the art with a tennis ball!

"But a lot of credit goes to Tom and Damian D'Oliveira (the County's Academy director and second eleven coach) because I wasn't bowling spin before and they helped me with my action," said Pakistan-born Shaftab, who is now a British citizen.

He describes his inclusion in the 'A' team as 'like a dream' and hopes one day to make his debut at full England international level.

"The National Academy have helped me a lot because you learn lots of things there. Basically, the bowler I was before is totally different now because I've gained so much experience. You learn to bowl against the best players in this country," he said.

Determined Shaftab, however, acc-epts that the forthcoming tour will be a major test of his blossoming career.

"We are going to India and obviously it's going to be tough over there, but I'm really looking forward to it. There will be a lot of expectation on us on the spinning wickets and Indian players are really good at playing spin.

"My aim is to go and have a good tour and come back and keep training hard on my fitness. Hopefully, I can take that into the new season and help Worcestershire win matches. When I get my chance I'll grab it with both hands."

The 'A' team's tour includes three one-day international against India as well as participating in the country's first-class competition The Duleep Trophy.