Image Source: BBC
[Saba Sports News] Former all-rounder and current England Lions head coach, Andrew Flintoff, endured a challenging year after a devastating car accident while filming Top Gear.
The accident left him fighting for his life, but after a long battle, he recovered. However, the injuries he sustained “changed his life forever.”
After his recovery, Flintoff, fondly known as “Freddie,” adopted a new perspective on life. Inspired by his experiences, he created the BBC series Field of Dreams to help young, untapped cricket talent in Lancashire.
His goal was to “instill a sense of self-belief” in the youth, encouraging them to dream big and aim high. One of the standout participants was 18-year-old Hadifh Umar Mahmood, a member of a youth club in Flintoff’s hometown of Preston.
Tragically, Mahmood passed away in a car crash on Tuesday after losing control of his Audi A3 on Chain Caul Way. Despite being rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, he died soon after, along with 16-year-old Adam Bodi, who was also in the car.
Mahmood’s former school, Penwortham Priory Academy, paid tribute to him, describing him as “bright, studious, and well-loved.”
The school highlighted his kindness, ambition, and strong academic abilities, noting that he had left the academy two years prior. Mahmood was also praised for his cricket skills and passion for geography.
Reflecting on his time working with Flintoff, Mahmood said, “They wanted to do a documentary about cricket and give people like me an opportunity I might not otherwise have.”
Flintoff had sought to give underprivileged teenagers a chance to embrace cricket and, perhaps, pursue it as a career. Mahmood was thrilled to have been chosen for Flintoff’s team in 2022.
In his statement, Mahmood shared how Flintoff had taught him various cricket skills, adding, “I would say now I am a bit of an all-rounder.” He also spoke fondly of Flintoff, calling him “down to earth” and expressing how much he and his teammates enjoyed working with the cricket legend.
“They’ve been to my house and interviewed my family as well,” Mahmood recalled with excitement.