Ben Twohig admits he learnt a lot from rising Pakistan star and fellow spinner Mohammad Asghar.
The Worcestershire player held several conversations and practice sessions with Asghar when the two were on opposite sides for England Under 17s and Pakistan Under-17s in Dubai 12 months ago.
Slow left armer Asghar has since gone onto play for Pakistan 'A' and is currently turning out for Peshawar Zalmi – who are captained by Shahid Afridi – in the Pakistan Super League.
Twohig said: "Pakistan were a good side. They had a left arm spinner (Asghar) and I spoke to him a lot.
"He is now playing in the Pakistan Super League and is doing really well.
"I learnt a lot from him, bowled and practiced a lot with him. He bowled a lot quicker than me and got more wickets.
"I just couldn't bowl that pace, I wasn't strong enough, but this year I'm a bit stronger so can bowl at that quicker pace."
Twohig is relishing his second tate of cricket in the UAE during the past 12 months.
He is a member of the 16 strong County squad for the pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi after a first winter as a full-time professional based mainly at Malvern College.
The 17-year-old said: "I've been really looking forward to it, getting some sun and bowling overs on pitches that hopefully will spin because Malvern is flat.
"It's like the M5! It is horrible to bowl on, the indoor wicket. It is so nice for batting on and you barely get one to spin all winter."
