In a groundbreaking feat, Nepal opener Aasif Sheikh became the first player from the Himalayan nation to score a half-century against cricketing giant India. Sheikh was handed an early lifeline by Virat Kohli, who dropped an easy chance are short covers and from thereon, the Nepal opener found his groove. Partnering with Kushal Bhurtel, Sheikh set the stage for Nepal by adding a promising 65 runs for the first wicket within the initial 10 overs.
Aasif Sheikh's Memorable Innings Against India
Despite surviving three dropped chances in the opening 5 overs, both Bhurtel and Sheikh counter-attacked India's pacers to lay a strong foundation. While Bhurtel, the more aggressive partner, was dismissed for 38 off 25 balls by Shardul Thakur, Sheikh continued to anchor the innings. His patient knock of 58 off 96 balls came to an end at the hands of Mohammed Siraj. As of this report, Nepal stood at a respectable 132/4, surpassing pre-game expectations.
Who is Aasif Sheikh? A Rising Star in Nepal's Cricketing Landscape
Born on January 22, 2001, Aasif Sheikh is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman who made his international debut for Nepal against PNG in September 2021. Quickly becoming a mainstay in the young Nepali side, Sheikh has a rich cricketing history. He led Nepal's Under-19 team at the 2018 Quadrangular Cricket Tournament in India and during the 2018 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup.
Highlighting his domestic achievements, Sheikh scored an unbeaten 111 runs in the final of the 2016 Everest Premier League, leading his team to their first EPL title. He was also the tournament's top run-scorer, amassing 202 runs in six games at an average of 44.00. Furthermore, Sheikh was the second-highest run-scorer in the 2021 Prime Minister Cup, with 206 runs in five innings at an average of 41.20.
Firsts and Awards in Aasif Sheikh's Career
March 2023 marked a significant milestone for Sheikh, as he scored his maiden ODI century against Papua New Guinea. Adding to his accolades, Sheikh won the 2022 ICC Spirit of Cricket Award, becoming the first Nepali player to earn this prestigious recognition for his decision not to run out Irish player Andy McBrine during a T20I match.
Stay tuned for more updates on Aasif Sheikh and Nepal's cricketing journey as they continue to break barriers and make history on the international stage.
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