Haroon – who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two – opens the batting for Warwickshire’s Disability Access Team and captains a Sunday Second XI side for his local club Walmley.
He launched his online persona The Autistic Cricketer last year to showcase the Access Team’s progress and to encourage more people with autism to play cricket.
The 23-year-old sat down with Rob at the Club’s Indoor Centre to discuss the pressures of opening the batting and coping mechanisms they both employ.
Rob – the Vitality County Championship’s third top run scorer this season with 370 – then spent time passing on some batting tips during a nets session.
“Autism affects me positively and negatively when I play cricket,” said Haroon, who was part of the Access Team that was crowned regional disability league champions last season.
“I know it’s important not to overthink it but that’s not always easy with autism.
“The Access Team is full of people with stories and struggles. We are in it together. The Access Team and Walmley are my families away from family.
“Being able to get advice from someone like Rob who admire as a cricketer and a person has really inspired me coming into the season. Some of the things he’s advised are already paying off.”
Warwickshire will defend its Super 9s regional disability title next year and has also, for the first time, entered a team into the national D40 Pursuit disability hard ball league.
The Access team trains every week at Edgbaston Cricket Centre and play home league games at Castle Bromwich Cricket Club.
Edgbaston was also the first cricket ground in the country to introduce Sensory Rooms designed for families with neurodiverse children.
Both rooms are fitted out with colourful fibre optics, bubble tubes, rotating images, games and soft furnishings to provide a calming environment for families and children that need to get away from the hustle and bustle of a match day or event.
The Sensory Rooms are helping make cricket accessible to families with neurodiverse children who might otherwise feel uncomfortable attending matches.
To find out more and get involved at edgbaston.com. 
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