Kathmandu, February 19
Cricket is gentlemen's game. Last year, Nepal national team cricketer Mohammad Aasif received a lot of attention due to his generosity and sportsmanship.
Aasif was talk of the town when he was nominated for the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award for his sportsmanship for not making a run out against Ireland. And the ICC honoured the Nepali cricketer with the highest award last month. After becoming the first Nepali cricketer to win the top ICC honour, Aasif said: "I feel like Nepali cricket won this award."
Nepal were playing their last match against Ireland in the Four Nation Twenty20 International Tournament in Muscat, Oman. Nepal had a chance to claim the trophy with a win over Ireland, who were struggling at 113-8 in 18 overs. Nepal earned a chance to run out Andy McBrine in the third ball of the penultimate over after the batsman collided with bowler Kamal Singh Airee and fell to the ground.
But Nepal wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh decided not to run out the batsman and his innocent move earned him the top ICC award. From school-time coach Jahore Ansari to the then coach Pubudu Dasanayake, everyone had taught him the same sportsmanship and he applied that in an international match. That's why he never felt the urge to cheat or argue. Aasif showed his kindness on the field. Ireland went on to score 127 runs in their allotted 20 overs, while Nepal were packed for 111. Nepal lost the game but won hearts in the spirit of sportsmanship. Aasif Sheikh also won. In world cricket, Nepal and Nepali players received applause.
Now Aasif is close to another award. He is nominated in the People's Choice category under the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award organised by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum. He is in race with Usha Bhandari of volleyball, Anjan Bista of football, Duwana Lama of swimming and Abhilasha Bista of tennis.
The winner will be announced on the day of Pulsar Sports Awards on March 7, based on the public votes along with the votes received from the sports journalists and chief coaches of national sports associations.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 20, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
