Aasif Sheikh has built a reputation as a reliable opener who shines under pressure. His calm half-century against India’s fierce bowling attack in the Asia Cup is a prime example of his ability to stay composed in high-pressure situations.
Aasif’s breakthrough moment came in the 2016 Everest Premier League final, where he made history by scoring Nepal’s first-ever domestic Twenty20 century. This innings was a key moment in his journey to becoming an important figure in Nepali cricket.
A missed return ticket
Aasif’s older brother, Aarif, had already made a mark in the Nepal squad in 2014 after his standout performance in the 2013 ACC U-19 Asia Cup. When Aasif traveled to Kathmandu to visit his brother during a team camp at the TU grounds, he took the chance to practice at the nets. Sharad Vesawkar, a national team player, was among those who noticed his promising batting skills.
Though Aasif had a return ticket to Birgunj, Sharad saw potential in him and invited him to join the Panchakanya Tej squad for the Everest Premier League. After scoring a determined 67 in the league stage, Aasif produced a stunning century in the final, taking just 16 balls to reach the landmark after his 43-ball half-century.
A difficult path
Following his EPL heroics, Aasif earned spots in age-group teams but faced immense expectations. Fans expected him to replicate his explosive final performance every time he stepped on the field. However, international cricket proved more challenging. While he impressed domestically, Aasif struggled against lower-ranked opponents in age-group cricket.
Despite this, his graceful starts often caught the attention of selectors and coaches. They believed in his potential because his consistent performances pointed to a bright future.
A good example of this came in 2017 when Aasif scored 92 runs and shared a 139-run opening partnership with Jitendra Singh Thakuri in a match against Bangladesh U-19 as part of Nepal’s preparation for the ACC U-19 Asia Cup. While his batting position was still uncertain, Aasif remained confident that his best chance would come at the top of the order.
The breakthrough moment
The turning point came in the April 2021 Tri-Series against Malaysia and the Netherlands. In his senior debut series, Aasif opened the innings with Kushal Bhurtel and played crucial roles in two century partnerships, scoring two half-centuries along the way. This partnership revolutionized Nepali batting.
Together, Aasif and Kushal became the foundation of the Nepali batting lineup, providing the solid starts the team had long been missing. Their successful partnerships have been a key part of Nepal’s improved batting performance.
Kushal, however, has been batting at number three, while Asif’s position remains secure at the top alongside Anil Sah. Aasif played a key role in Nepal’s qualification for the T20 World Cup with a composed 64 not out from 51 balls in a challenging chase of 135 runs against the UAE during the Asia Qualifier in Kathmandu.
Since his T20I debut, Aasif has scored over twelve hundred runs in the shorter format. His consistent performances earned him a spot as one of the marquee players in the Nepal Premier League, where he currently plays with the Janakpur Bolts opening with his national team partner Anil Sah, who is leading Janakpur in the inaugural Nepal Premier League.
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