Ben Stokes chat led to Saqib Mahmood rejecting IPL move in bid to keep Test spot

Saqib Mahmood has revealed that a conversation with Ben Stokes in the Caribbean inspired him to turn down an Indian Premier League offer and prioritise red-ball cricket as he bids to hold on to his Test place.

The 25-year-old made his Test debut in the recent series defeat against the West Indies and came away as the pick of the England seamers in largely batter-friendly conditions.

The Lancashire bowler has previously made his mark in the white-ball formats, with 12 T20 internationals and seven one-day internationals under his belt, but says he rejected an offer as a replacement in the IPL in order to focus on keeping his Test place.

“I wanted to make sure that in the short term I prioritised red-ball cricket,” Mahmood said.

“Especially after getting that opportunity in the West Indies. I turned down an IPL offer just to be here playing for Lancashire and try to push my red-ball credentials.

“It was funny because it came from a conversation I had with Stokesy over breakfast one morning.

“I got talking to him about why he didn’t go to the IPL and he said he wanted to prioritise red-ball cricket and be a part of the squad moving forward.

“And it was that same day that I got a call. A coincidence in timing but for me the timing of that call was great because I had left that morning having had the chat with Stokesy, who would earn millions in the IPL but really wanted to push this team forward.

“I have that drive as well to try and be a part of that Test team and try to push that forward over the next few months. Hopefully that can highlight my ambition to play Test cricket.”

I feel like if you told me now to choose a format to play for England it would be Test cricket- Saqib Mahmood

Mahmood was handed his opportunity in