Bristol's most promising cricketer Hamza Shabbir dies in River Avon tragedy

One of Bristol's most promising cricketers has died after what appears to be a tragic accident in the river at Saltford.

Hamza Shabbir was pulled from the River Avon after falling in to the water at the Jolly Sailor pub at Saltford Lock at around 5pm on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old was airlifted to hospital after receiving emergency first aid, but tragically died in hospital in the early hours of this morning.

Tributes are being paid from across the cricketing community in Bristol and beyond. The young all-rounder played for several years for Stapleton CC – often alongside his father Ghulam – before playing last season for Downend.

He was well on his way to pursuing his dream of becoming a professional cricketer, having already played Grade-A cricket in Pakistan in the past year, and signing for Hampshire 2nds, the final step before fulfilling the dream of playing first-class cricket in this country.

Bristol Post cricket correspondent Steve Hill said Hamza was a 'very promising fast bowler', who had a reputation as the fastest bowler in the Bristol leagues.

"He played in 2014 and 2015 for Stapleton as Hamza Sultan-Ali, taking more than 70 wickets including a best of 8-25 against Twyford House. For these two years, he played alongside his father, Ghulam Shabbir. Hamza also played for Stapleton when he was younger, in their youth team," he said.

Now known as Hamza Shabbir, he joined Downend this season to play in the highest standard of club cricket in the region, and took two wickets on Saturday as they beat league leaders Bridgwater.

On Sunday he turned out for Easton Tigers in the North Somerset League and opened the batting with 63 in a win against Bristol Pakistanis.

Flags were flying at half-mast at Stapleton CC this morning.