FORMER Worcestershire cricketer Shaaiq Choudhry is hoping his new business venture will knock the opposition for six.

The slow left arm bowler, who was released by the County Cricket Club at the end of last season, has launched a new fashion brand. With business partner Naveed Ahmed, he has created Brothers Circle and the Rotherham-based company has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in early October. The profile of Brothers Circle has already been boosted by stars of television programmes such as Geordie Shore, Ex On The Beach and Love Island wearing its range of snapbacks and beanies.

Also Mr Choudry’s former Worcestershire team mates Moeen Ali, Joe Clarke, New Zealand internationals Mitchell McClenaghan and Colin Munro as well as England and Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid and Nottinghamshire’s Harry Gurney are all helping to promote the Brothers Circle band.

He explained: “It’s something that I talked about doing in the summer. I stopped playing, Naveed approached me to try and get something set up and it was too good an opportunity to turn down so I jumped at it. We have both set it up and got it running and it’s taken off really well. It’s only been running for two months but we have had a very good response so far.

“A number of reality television stars and sports people are wearing our gear. We’ve had guys from Geordie Shore, Ex On The Beach and Love Island who have taken a liking to our stuff. That has helped us a lot. They have posted on their social media platforms as well so that has brought in a bigger audience for us. Some of these guys have got 100,000 followers and so that has raised our profile.

“We have had a few cricket lads Moeen, Ajmal and Harry Gurney and Mitchell McClenaghan and Colin Munro. Colin is going to be one of our sponsored players he’s got our sticker on his bats. That will be good for us especially if he gets an IPL gig.”

Mr Choudhry, who already has a degree in ICT, is currently studying for a degree in graphic design with the Interactive Design Institute and has used those skills to help establish Brothers Circle. He added: "It’s a partnership predominantly. I have done all the design and the website but I have done a lot of it simply because I have been out of work. My business partner has a day job. We have both put in a steady amount of work to get it up and running. It took four or five months to plan it all and get it all going. Once it’s going that’s when the marketing takes over which is what I am now focused on."

As well as helping to set up Brothers Circle, Mr Choudry has also secured a job as a software test analyst based in Leeds, a post he will take up in the New Year. Throughout the process of setting up Brothers Circle and applying for day jobs, Choudry has been able to call on the support and advice of Lynsey Williams, one of the PCA’s team of Personal Development and Welfare Managers, which has helped to smooth his transition from professional cricket.

Further information about Brothers Circle can be found at: www.brotherscircle.co.uk