A first graduate of Nottinghamshire CCC Academy, Bilal is an extremely talented cricketer. He has all the skills in his armoury, batting, bowling and wicket-keeping.

A fluent stroke-maker and brilliant timer of the ball, Bilal represented England Under-17 and Under-19 teams in 2001. He burst onto the first-class scene with a gutsy 75 against Middlesex. He moved on to Northamptonshire in 2005 but returned to Notts in order to remain close to his family in 2008. He averaged almost 40 in the next two years but mediocre form in further next couple years meant that he was released by Notts.

“Billy” also plies his trade for Hampshire and is an integral part of the Twenty20 side that won the domestic T20 competition in 2012. He was also named in the squad for the Champions League T20, Hampshire’s first stint at the competition.