Tributes to young cricketer who died in river tragedy

Tributes are being paid to a promising young cricketer from Bristol who died in the River Avon.

Emergency crews were called to the river near the Jolly Sailor at around 5pm last night, Wednesday 8 June after reports that a man was in the water.

The man, 20-year-old Hamza Shabbir, had been pulled from the River Avon. Crews provided emergency first aid at the scene and he was airlifted to hospital. Sadly he was pronounced dead early this morning.

Hamza Shabbir died after being rescued from the River Avon at Saltford Credit: Hampshire CCC

Hamza Shabbir, who was from Bristol had previously been with Downend and Stapleton cricket clubs. He made his first-class debut with Hampshire CCC in April and was also trying out for the MCC Young Cricketers.

The club has made the following statement:

The MCC has also paid tribute to the promising young cricketer and expressed its condolences to his family.

As a mark of respect, the Hampshire players will wear black armbands in their NatWest T20 Blast match against Surrey at The Kia Oval this evening, 9 June.