A YOUNG cricketing sensation has been threatened with deportation to Afghanistan.

Zakir Ali Rostami, 21, escaped from the violence in his home country six years ago after his father was murdered and his family attacked by political opponents.

Since arriving in Britain he has won a training scholarship with Canterbury Cricket Club and has almost completed an IT diploma at Canterbury College.

He has also been offered an unconditional place at the University of East London to study Computing.

But his future is looking bleaker by the day.

The Home Office allowed Zakir to stay in the UK until he was 18 but has since rejected his asylum claim, arguing he could return to another part of Afghanistan.

Despite the fact he now has no family living in Afghanistan, the Home Office has detained Zakir and is threatening to deport him.

Speaking from a detention centre in Dover, Zakir said: "I cannot imagine a life in Afghanistan.

"I have nothing. Everything I have I've built up here over the past five years.

"All those that are close to me are here in the UK.

"Canterbury accepted me for who I was and what I had to give.

"Playing cricket for a local team made me feel part of the community and was where I met most of my friends.

"I was given a chance here in the UK, with it's proud history of providing sanctuary, to rebuild my life and now that is being taken away from me."

A spokesman for the cricket club said he was horrified to hear of Zakir's threatened deportation.

He said: "This news has come as a surprise to us all.

"The club was completely unaware of Zakir's situation.

"He is a very popular lad at the club with a tremendous attitude.

"He has shown great potential as a cricketer; so much so he was awarded a scholarship at the end of last year.

"We really hope that a resolution can be found."

Zakir's friend and team mate Stephen Lamyman said: "Zak is without doubt one of the most friendly people I have ever had the pleasure to play cricket with.

"His passion, energy and enthusiasm are infectious within the side and he has become a stalwart of Canterbury Cricket Club.

"On a personal level, he is a trusted friend and I happily give him my support through this ordeal."

Zakir worked as a chef at a popular Canterbury restaurant before his claim for asylum was refused.

The manager, who asked not to be named, said: "Zakir is extremely hard working so I am always willing to support him.

"He understood that his future was here in the UK and so only ever contributed to society, never took anything.

"I was always amazed at how he would work full-time, study full-time and achieve excellent results and play cricket.

"He was desperate not to go back and would be devastated if he was returned to nothing. He has developed here in the UK, as every human being should be allowed to."

The 'Keep Zakir in Canterbury' campaign has also called on the support of MP Julian Brazier.

Although on Easter recess from Parliament, the Conservative is understood to have given his support and will play a part in preventing Zakir's deportation.

A petition supporting Zakir is online at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveZak/