Gloucestershire seamer Zaman Akhter picked up the high-profile scalps of Joe Root and Harry Brook on the first morning of his side’s clash against Yorkshire in Bristol.

Yorkshire, whose star-studded middle order contains Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood as well as Root and Brook, were inserted in to bat in their second fixture of the 2024 season. Gloucestershire had the better of the opening session, claiming five Yorkshire wickets, including both Root and Brook off the bowling of Akhter.

Akhter – a South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) graduate – dismissed both England batters in what is just the ninth first-class appearance of his career. Founded in 2022, SACA aims to increase the presence of players of South Asian heritage in the professional game. Just two full years into its existence, the organisation has already fast-tracked several cricketers into the county system. Last week, another SACA graduate, Worcestershire’s Kashif Ali, scored hundreds in both innings of his side’s Division One fixture against Warwickshire.

Bowling first change, Akhter picked up the wicket of Root for just two, trapping the former England captain lbw. Brook got himself in but departed after top-edging an attempted pull shot for 26.

Masood was harder to displace, passing fifty to stabilise the Yorkshire innings.

You can watch Zaman Akhter dismiss both Joe Root and Harry Brook below:

Anyone who went to Bristol to watch Joe Root and Harry Brook bat has been instead met by Zaman Akhter

The @Gloscricket seamer got both of them out! pic.twitter.com/9A97vI1IP8

— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 12, 2024