Ajmal Shahzad picked the perfect time and place to record his best bowling figures in a competitive one-day match as Yorkshire blew Middlesex away to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Clydesdale Bank 40 at Lord’s.

Less than four hours after being confirmed in England’s Test squad for Thursday’s match against Pakistan, the 24-year-old was bowling the Group ‘B’ leaders to a fifth win.

He took five wickets against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in 2007, but yesterday’s 4-34 was his best in a meaningful competition as the hosts posted 183-9 batting first.

Jacques Rudolph then underpinned Yorkshire’s chase with a flawless 86 not out off 115 balls, clinching the points with 18 balls left.

Not only did Shahzad mark his first match at the spiritual home of cricket in fine style, he also proved beyond any doubt that he has recovered from the hamstring and ankle injuries which have dogged him for the last fortnight.

“I was happy with the way I performed,” he said. “I was a little bit expensive early on, but I pulled it back well. Me, Brezzy and the other bowlers made the best of a slow wicket.”

The only player in England’s 12-man squad for Trent Bridge to be involved in county action yesterday, it was plain to see that national team director Andy Flower needed reassuring that Shahzad was good to go.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent, but I’m fit and ready. Hopefully I’ll get the nod,” said Shahzad. He took a wicket with his second ball, that of Scott Newman caught behind by Jonny Bairstow.

He also bowled Tom Scollay (32) before Tom Smith was caught at mid-off by David Wainwright and Shaun Udal was caught and bowled in the 40th over.