CUSTOMERS at Fishpool Post Office in Bury will be bowled over by their new sub-postmaster - former Pakistani cricket ace Asif Masood.

The fast bowler represented Pakistan from 1968 to 1977, playing in 18 Test matches and the first World Cup in 1975.

Now he has hung up his cricket whites for good and is concentrating on running the post office in Parkhills Road, Bury.

Mr Masood, 51, who lives in Linksway Drive, Sunny Bank, with his wife Parveen, is looking forward to "a great new challenge".

He said: "I have always been very ambitious in life. We have got some lovely staff and I am looking forward to meeting members of the community from all walks of life."

He has already faced one or two startled customers, and others who have given him that "haven't I seen you somewhere before?" look.

Said Mr Masood: "One or two people have recognised me and asked me what I am doing here. I admit it is a bit different from facing England at the Oval, but different jobs require different things."

In his heyday, Mr Masood played with stars such as Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, met the Queen, and spent three years as a professional for Northumberland in the Minor Counties.

In 1977 he left the cricket pitch to concentrate on his career with Pakistan Airlines, and in 1980 he and his family settled in Manchester, where he spent seven years working for a travel agency.

Mr Masood, who has four children, does not have much time for cricket these days.

He said: "I'm more of a family man really, and my children and work tend to take up all of my time."

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