Aarif Sheikh ties the knot
The 27-year-old cricketer from Birgunj, Parsa, married Sabana Khatun on Thursday.
KATHMANDU: Nepali national cricket team all-rounder Aarif Sheikh has entered into matrimony.
The 27-year-old cricketer from Birgunj, Parsa, married Sabana Khatun on Thursday in a ceremony conducted as per Muslim traditions.
Arif was a part of Nepal’s first-ever ODI team and currently plays domestic cricket for the departmental side Nepal Police Club.
In the recently concluded Nepal Premier League (NPL), he represented Sudurpaschim Royals, who were defeated by Janakpur Bolts in the final.
Who is Aarif Sheikh?
Aarif Sheikh, born on Oct 4, 1997, in Birgunj, Nepal, is a prominent Nepalese cricketer known for his right-handed batting and right-arm medium bowling.
He has represented Nepal in various international formats, including One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Career Highlights:
ODI Debut: Aarif made his ODI debut on August 1, 2018, against the Netherlands, marking Nepal’s inaugural ODI match.
ODI Performance: As of January 2025, he has played 57 ODI matches, scoring 1,118 runs with an average of 26.61, including seven half-centuries, with a top score of 66.
T20I Performance: In T20Is, Aarif has participated in 41 matches, accumulating 494 runs with an average of 19.00, and a highest score of 39*.
Domestic and Youth Career: Before joining the senior national team, Aarif served as the vice-captain of Nepal’s Under-19 cricket team, showcasing his leadership and cricketing skills at a young age.
Personal Life:
Aarif comes from a cricketing family; his younger brother, Aasif Sheikh, is also a member of the Nepal national cricket team, playing as a wicket-keeper batter. The brothers have been teammates in the national squad since 2021.
Recent Achievements:
In November 2024, Aarif played a pivotal role in Nepal’s victory over Scotland, scoring an unbeaten 51*, which contributed to a five-wicket win.
Aarif Sheikh continues to be a key player for Nepal, contributing significantly with both bat and ball, and is regarded as one of the most reliable middle-order batsmen in the team.
