ADEEL SHAFIQUE APPOINTED AS SACA SECOND ELEVEN HEAD COACH

Today, SACA are delighted to announce that the Academy’s batting and wicket-keeping coach Adeel Shafique has been appointed to the role of SACA Second Eleven Coach.

Nottingham-born Shafique, 31, has carved out an impressive coaching career since his playing days in the county Second Eleven set-up and internationally with Oman. On moving to Oman in the early 2020’s he began coaching at the Oman Cricket Academy, before being appointed as Head Coach of the Oman Under 19 side, leading them in their U19 World Cup qualifying campaign in 2022.

Upon returning to the UK Shafique joined SACA initially as a player in 2024 before then joining the coaching group earlier this year.  

With this being the first year that SACA has had a dedicated Second Eleven, due to expanding numbers of players, Shafique will take charge of the Second Eleven immediately and be involved in an improved selection process across the wider squad. He will also take charge of the Second Eleven in a number of fixtures arranged against University and National County sides and in several inter-squad games over the coming season.

Speaking of the appointment of Shafique to the role of Second Eleven Coach, Tom Brown, Founder and Managing Director of SACA, commented:

“We are blessed to have such a talented group of coaches here at SACA, and in Adeel we’ve got a real gem. He is hugely passionate about developing players and gets the very best out of all those he works with.

“With the SACA programme expanding over time as it has, to the point that we are now working with almost 70 players across the five regional elite hubs we run, the creation of a SACA Second Eleven was the natural next step and it’ll be great to have Adeel in charge for the fixtures we have lined up this year. He will work closely with the wider SACA playing group to continue to develop their skills and ultimately create greater competition for places and strength in depth across the Academy.

“We are excited to see how the players Adeel is working with develop and progress under his close tutelage and our hope is that by creating a more competitive environment within SACA, where players are pushing harder for First Eleven places, that we’ll see even greater quality coming through the group as a result.”

Adeel Shafique himself commented:

"It’s an incredibly proud moment for me to be appointed as SACA’s Second Team Coach.

"Having previously represented SACA as a player, I’ve experienced first-hand the belief, support and opportunity that the programme provides to those striving for a chance in the professional game. To now step into a coaching role within the same environment means a great deal to me.

"The work that Tom Brown and everyone at SACA has done has been exceptional — 18 players earning professional contracts is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of the platform that’s been created for players to showcase their skills to first-class counties. I’ve also seen the genuine impact this programme has had on people’s lives and how it has changed their direction within the game, which is something that really resonates with me. Just as importantly, the inclusive and welcoming changing room culture that’s been built allows players to express themselves and perform with confidence and clarity.

"I’m excited to build on that momentum, uphold the standards that have been set, and help drive the next group of players towards achieving their ambitions in the professional game."