When we get to the third and fourth generation immigrant families and beyond there will be more England supporters among them, maybe even the majority. I have had British Asians tell me they support England because of me or Adil Rashid and that's great to hear.

I hope what people see in me is that I'm a normal guy, and that people who look as I do can do normal things.

Babies are born every day but truly, each one is a little miracle.

I've not experienced racism from other players. Not once. You experience ignorance but that's not the same at all, and I'm always happy to discuss things. If that helps people learn about Islam, to learn there's nothing to fear, then great, that's all part of my role.

I was so fortunate to play my club cricket at Moseley Ashfield. We had loads of Asians, white players, black players. You grow up from that knowing it just doesn't matter what religion or culture people are into, everyone is different.

Mistakes can happen. Sometimes they can build up over the course of an innings and put people even more on edge, which makes it snowball further.

In the nets, Joe Root hits the most sixes. He tries to take us down all the time. I think everyone is capable of hitting big sixes and I think I'm the best of all of them. But Jos is the one guy that everyone knows is out front. Jos is power with timing.

I needed to step back from cricket, international cricket in particular, to get away from the scrutiny and intensity. I love it but it was too much for me.

All I care about is England doing well and if that means I'm looking on for a bit, I won't lose any sleep.

No matter where I bat I try to adapt to the situation.

I like to see the kids in my area wearing England shirts, not Pakistan or India ones. A lot of it comes from the older generations but it's changing slowly, especially if people like myself and Ravi Bopara are playing for England.

Religion is very important to me. One of my aims is to try to show that you can have faith and play cricket. There can be a lot of negativity and misunderstanding of Islam.

We're just having a lot of fun and ripping each other all the time. We get stuck into each other about everything: about the football or about Fifa. Anything. It's all part of team bonding. It's all very natural.

I've opened throughout most of my career at Worcester. I understand there are guys in the team who have opened for a long time, more than me, with better records than me.

I'd never go up to somebody and start preaching, but if somebody asks I'm willing to talk about it. Often, after people have seen me praying, they'll ask and it's a chance to show how normal prayer time is and why we do it, to teach people about the religion. Not to try to change them, but to explain.

If someone dares me to do something I'll just do it.

My dad always wanted me to be a cricketer, study no chance. Once he saw that I was quite good for my age, no school. So, as soon as I did my GCSEs, I got signed by Warwickshire at 15.

I know how much of a uniting game cricket is and as a leader of the Birmingham Phoenix that is something I definitely want to promote.

I was just a normal teenager, going out with my friends, enjoying my time. I didn't really believe in anything, I didn't fast or pray.

People make mistakes along the way. Cricket means I may not always be there for everyone all the time. But when I take the field for my country, I know there are a lot of people I am representing.

I have always been a player whose form goes up and down but at the moment I feel my batting confidence is at its lowest. Negative comments can affect you and they probably have.

I'm not a massive reader of online comments but I come across the odd comment where people still question if I'm English. I find that so silly.

I have been up and down the batting order and it's difficult. People don't always realise that.

Representing England has always been a privilege and my decision to take a break from Test cricket at the end of the home summer was made to ensure that, hopefully, I can do it for a lot longer.

Since my international debut in 2014 the miles on the clock have probably crept up and Test cricket is the level where the pressure and scrutiny are greatest.

My dad and uncle were so protective so whenever someone would say or do something to harm us they were right there. They were very shy but you cross a line with them and the temper can get quite rough.

Every time that I come to Edgbaston it takes me back to some great first memories of coming here at a very young age.

In an ideal world, you knock the runs off and win the game.

In tournament cricket, with a new opponent each game, I think you actually need to play to your own strengths more.

Sometimes in Asian homes it is all about where we've come from, which is important too, but it is about where you live and where you're born and the people who are the same as you.

I never get too over-confident, or too down. I just go with the flow.

It's not easy for a player who considers him or herself to be a proper batter to then adjust down the order. Put anyone there and the scores won't necessarily come. You can lose a bit of love for it, too.

In terms of trying to inspire other people with faith to play and stuff I am very proud of that. I remember seeing Muslim athletes or guys with other faiths performing and still carrying the label of being a religious person and it does inspire people.

I have played quite a few Test matches in the back garden with my two brothers.

You do your best but I think I'm going to try and get back in as a batsman first, spinner second.

When you're quiet, others can form opinions that are way off the mark.

If they come after me and my bowling you get a bit down. But when I am fielding I think about it and there are worse things that can happen. I take in the atmosphere a bit and think this is not too bad.

If I wasn't doing this, I'd be working in a chippy. Cricket can change your life. It can teach you a lot about discipline and life in general.

In sport, the underdog does come out on top quite a bit.

It took a lot of sacrifice from my dad. He managed to put cricket nets in our garden because he knew we had to practise every day. That would also keep us away from the streets.

From nine, I started playing cricket. From 11, I knew this is what I'm doing.

I know my responsibilities. They are to my religion, my parents, my wife, my family and my community.

In Twenty20 it's not always about straight drives and high elbows. It's amazing how far you can hit the ball. I've always been able to hit the ball far but not consistently like I have in practice over here. I'm enjoying it so much.

Look at a player like Divock Origi. No one was talking about the guy and then suddenly he becomes a hero.

I don't want anyone to think I don't love playing for England because playing for your country is the greatest thing a cricketer can do.

I think a lot of people do see me as like a role model or as an ambassador.

If I can play, and change the mind of one person about being a Muslim player and having a beard, then I'll feel as if I've done my job.

People have the right to support who they want of course but I'm hoping in the future maybe they or their kids will become England fans and players.

I coach for my dad's academy. Sometimes it's just about being there - it's not just the coaching - it's seeing that you are there to inspire or they are trying to impress you.

A lot of the Indian supporters would have been born in Birmingham, have Birmingham accents. It is my home city as well. Second, third generations from the sub-continent still support India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.