Bilal Shafayat was the first graduate of the Nottinghamshire CCC Academy when he signed a three-year contract following his impressive performances in the 2001 season. He scored an assured 75 on his first class debut against Middlesex and finished the season with 231 runs at an average of 38.50 from three matches.

He is an extremely talented all-round cricketer; his medium-pace bowling and his wicket-keeping ability are both useful additional skills to his bow. He toured Australia with England Under-17s in early 2001, represented England at Under-19 level against West Indies Under-19s in 2001, and was a member of the England squad for the 2002 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

He gained a regular spot in the Nottinghamshire side from the 2005 season and during that campaign made over 1,000 runs for the first time. But that has proved to be his most productive season to date but he finished the 2008 with his highest average from a campaign, 41.61 in 10 matches.

CricInfo Staff