Although he identified as belonging to Pakistan’s Christian minority, Shahzaib’s religious affiliation brought him no comfort. He admits that he felt distant from God, spiritually empty and burdened with sin.

But during a cricket tour of Sri Lanka, he came into contact with Blythswood’s partner organisation Life Through Sports (LTS) and later attended a sports camp. “During the camp, Shazaib accepted Jesus Christ as his personal saviour,” reports LTS director Stephen John. “He experienced a spiritual transformation and began studying the Bible for the first time in his life. The biblical story of David inspired him deeply and he found the joy and peace he was missing.

“Today he continues to grow in his relationship with God and is grateful to the mentors he met through LTS.”

Shahzaib began studying the Bible at sports camp.