Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has told how a young Afghan cricketer wrote to the Home Office to stay in England.

Adnan, who was 16 at the time of filming, was the star of Flintoff’s Preston youth cricket team in the first series of Freddie Flintoff’s Field Of Dreams.

However, in the latest episode of the BBC’s On Tour series, it was revealed that his asylum application had been rejected.

His adoptive father Barry said: “This was a very difficult situation and it was really disappointing that Adnan didn’t get the approval from the Home Office the first time.

“We didn’t really know which way to go.”

Her adoptive mother, Elaine, said: “You can’t sleep at night because the scenarios are running through your head.

“What will I do if he has to leave? What will I do if they don’t give him asylum?

“Freddie asked us if there was anything else he could do and we said yes, let’s write to the Home Office.”

It is later revealed that Adnan was granted asylum on his second attempt in August 2022 and will be able to apply for British citizenship within six years.

Not only is Adnan’s asylum request accepted, it is also revealed that he has won a scholarship to one of Lancashire’s most prestigious boarding schools.

After being reunited with Adnan, Flintoff said: “The thing is, imagine a kid in Afghanistan playing cricket with a piece of wood and a ball and somehow it ends up in Preston.

“I don’t think he could have imagined how different his life was and how much it had changed.

“It’s great to see him succeeding and so happy with everything.

“He just needed an opportunity, a real asset to have.”

Adnan says that when he first came to England he didn’t speak English and Flintoff gave him “a chance”.

“When I came to England I didn’t speak English and had no passport or documents.

“But since I met Freddie I’ve had the chance to do something with my life.”

In the new series, Flintoff will take his young cricket team, including Adnan, on a tour of India, where they will play matches against various local teams and learn about the country’s culture.

Freddie Flintoff’s show Field Of Dreams On Tour will air on BBC One at 9pm on 13 August and is also available to watch on BBC iPlayer.