National team skipper Paras Khadka was surprised when rising young sensation Aarif Sheikh was not included in the 17th Asian Games squad. Aarif, an U-19 cricketer, has been a top performer in age group cricket for the last one year and his body language was perfect when he performed in two of the matches he got to play in the ACC Premier League.
Despite missing a place in the 17th Asian Games, Aarif finally deserved what a rising cricketer gets in his life — an opportunity to play alongside the seniors. Aarif was among the final 14 members of the national team announced for Nepal’s most important tournament — the ICC World Cricket League Division-III.
Coach Pubudu Dassanayake has said Aarif is another huge prospect for Nepal. “He has got the talent and the only thing that he requires is exposure,” said Dassanayake who wanted to hone his skills and sent him for a 10-day training with young Pokhara bowler Karan KC.
KC — who was brought as the cover for experience seamer Amrit Bhattarai — was omitted from the squad that also has Bhuwan Karki and Mehboob Alam as the ones who managed to break into the national squad after a long time.Amrit made his return after missing he ACC Premier League held in Malaysia from May 1-7.
When Nepal shared the ACC Trophy Elite with the UAE for the dramatic draw with the hosts, Bhuwan was the part of the team.
Final squad for Division III
1. Paras Khadka
2. Gyanendra Malla
3. Subash Khakurel
4. Sharad Vesawkar
5. Shakti Prasad Gauchan
6. Basant Regmi
7. Binod Bhandari
8. Sompal Kami
9. Sagar Pun
10. Mahaboob Alam
11. Bhuban Karki
12. Aarif Sheikh
13. Naresh Budhayer
14. Amrit Bhattarai
