India, April 3 -- England spinner Shoaib Bashir has highlighted the importance of opportunities for young cricketers from non-fee-paying schools.

Bashir, who will play for Derbyshire in the upcoming county season, has credited his state-school upbringing for shaping his determination and hunger to succeed, while also backing the newly introduced Knight-Stokes Cup as a major step forward for grassroots cricket.

The 22-year-old, who has taken 68 wickets in 19 Tests, believes his journey through the state-school system forced him to work harder and seek opportunities actively. "It's massively important that state schools have this opportunity," Bashir said as per Ealing Times. "I went to a state school, and I didn't play as much cricket as...