{"id":64394,"date":"2025-05-01T01:27:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T01:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/64394\/"},"modified":"2025-05-01T01:27:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T01:27:11","slug":"afghan-refugee-who-starred-in-freddie-flintoff-show-makes-stunning-county-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/64394\/","title":{"rendered":"Afghan refugee who starred in Freddie Flintoff show makes stunning county debut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Adnan Miakhel featured on Freddie Flintoff\u2019s Field of Dreams back in 2022 and his now following his hero\u2019s footsteps into cricket and made a notable debut for Lancashire over the weekend<\/p>\n<p>19:15, 30 Apr 2025Updated 19:15, 30 Apr 2025<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1_GpySV6VWwAAE9Ea.jpg\" alt=\"Adnan Adnan Miakhel \" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Adnan Miakhel made his county debut in a friendly against Yorkshire(Image: @TheBarmyArmy)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Afghan refugee Adnan Miakhel has made a remarkable county cricket debut two years after striking up an unlikely friendship with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/freddie-flintoff\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Freddie FlintoffLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Freddie Flintoff<\/a>. The 18-year-old starred in the former <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/england-cricket-team\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"EnglandLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">England<\/a> man\u2019s <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/bbc-update-future-freddie-flintoffs-33600167\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Field of DreamsLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Field of Dreams<\/a> documentary back in 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Flintoff was among those to write an appeal after Miakhel\u2019s application for asylum was rejected. And that decision was eventually reversed, while the youngster shone for Flintoff\u2019s team during a tour of India.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Speaking at the time, he said: \u201cIt\u2019s always been a simple dream of mine to play <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/cricket\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"cricketLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">cricket<\/a>, professionally but I also want to continue with my studies as well. I\u2019d love to do more filming as well, especially with my Field of Dreams family.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cSince the first series of Field of Dreams, I have always had great feedback all along. The second series, the feedback was even better, really brilliant.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">And it appears that Miakhel\u2019s wish of standing at the crease has come true after appearing for <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/lancashire-county-cricket-club\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Lancashire County Cricket\u2019Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Lancashire County Cricket\u2019<\/a>s second side in a friendly against Yorkshire seconds over the past week.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/cricket\/freddie-flintoff-crash-top-gear-35110165\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Freddie Flintoff reveals how cricket instincts saved his life in horror Top Gear crash<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/cricket\/freddie-flintoff-car-crash-stokes-35104473\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Freddie Flintoff opens up on heartbreaking episode in which simple task took him 10 attempts<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">A tweet from the club read: \u201cCongratulations to Adnan Miakhel on making his Lancashire 2nd XI debut against Yorkshire yesterday. Adnan was presented with his 2nd XI cap by Steven Croft at Northern CC.\u201d That post was accompanied by a picture of Miahkel receiving his memorable cap.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">And it ended up being a productive debut for the Field of Dreams star as he racked up 25 runs from 31 balls, as well as taking a wicket. His foster mum Elaine has regularly hailed Miakhel for his kindness and dedication.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">She said: \u201cWe are so hugely proud of him in everything that he has done. He gives back so much to the whole family and he works so hard. We love him and are so proud of him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1_Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-190007.jpg\" alt=\"Adnan Miakhel \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Adnan Miakhel became a star of the show alongside Flintoff(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Who will win the 2025 County Championship? <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/cricket\/freddie-flintoff-lancashire-county-refugee-35148160#comments-section\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Share your predictions in the comments below<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Elsewhere, Miakhel has also spoken out on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/freddie-flintoff-shares-shocking-graphic-35114029\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Flintoff\u2019s accident during Top Gear filmingLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Flintoff\u2019s accident during Top Gear filming<\/a> that left him hospitalised with serious facial injuries. He said: \u201cIt was really good filming the show and I really enjoyed it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cIt was horrible to hear about Freddie\u2019s accident and I was so happy to see him again. I couldn\u2019t believe that he was really in front of me as the accident was so horrible. I am so relieved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Mikhael will certainly be aiming to make more of an impression as the new 2025 county cricket season comes into view. Lancashire seconds will open up their campaign against Nottinghamshire on May 14.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/KpLVIG1AXsd0FvfduhjjzO\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re curious, you can read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744106962_61_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a343<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get the deal here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Sky has slashed the price of its <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Essential TV and Sky Sports<\/a><\/strong> bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves \u00a3192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Adnan Miakhel featured on Freddie Flintoff\u2019s Field of Dreams back in 2022 and his now following his hero\u2019s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":64395,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4101],"tags":[33052,1406,25403,33053,79,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-64394","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cricket","8":"tag-county-championship","9":"tag-cricket","10":"tag-freddie-flintoff","11":"tag-lancashire-county-cricket-club","12":"tag-sports","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114429981155386992","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64394"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64394\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}