'Spirit of cricket': Stunning act of sportsmanship sparks debate
The cricket world has heaped praise on Nepal and wicketkeeper Asif Sheikh for showing stunning sportsmanship in their T20 match against Ireland.
Ireland prevailed against Nepal in their Oman Quadrangular T20 match after defending a total of 127.
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However, the match made headlines for Nepal's sportsmanship during a pivotal moment in Ireland's innings.
Andy McBride was at the non-strikers end in the 19th over with Ireland reeling at 8-114.
McBride attempted to steal a single, but accidentally tripped over bowler Kamal Singh when making the dash.
Singh was able to stay on his feet and field the ball, before tossing it slowly towards Sheikh.
The wicketkeeper received the ball as McBride slowed down in his stride knowing he wasn't going to make it to the crease in time.
However, Sheikh backed away and tossed the ball to the fielder in a show of good sportsmanship.
McBride appeared shocked and thanked both Singh and Sheikh for showing compassion.
Cricket world praises Nepal's sportsmanship
The move, from Nepal who only gained One Day International status in 2018, was widely praised in the cricket community.
The commentator was adamant the moment should be nominated for the ICC's Spirit of Cricket award.
"I've got goosebumps here in the commentary box because that's a touching moment," he said.
"It was accidental, and he could have run him out here, and Aasif Sheikh has said, 'No, he's not going to do it because of the spirit of the game'.
"That's your nominee for the Spirit of Cricket Award for 2022 for the ICC."
The 'sprit of cricket' was once again raised, but was widely accepted the show of sportsmanship from Nepal was a good example to the top-tier nations.
Well done, @CricketNep. Not a big one on “spirit of cricket”, but this was just the polite, empathetic thing to do. pic.twitter.com/jzqhPL7HKA
— Debayan Sen (ਦੇਬਾਯਨ) (@debayansen) February 14, 2022
Nepal Cricket gesture is absolutely brilliant. Well done. @CricketNep
pic.twitter.com/nbolgHKCah— Waadaplaya!!! 🏏 (@waadaplaya) February 14, 2022
ICC Spirit of Cricket award nominee for 2022. Asif Sheikh, take a bow! 👏👏👏 #SpiritOfCricket #Cricket #CricketTwitter #Nepal #NepalvsIreland @ICC @bhogleharsha @cricketaakash @Brad_Hogg @bhaleraosarang @CricketNep @CricketBadge @WasimJaffer14 pic.twitter.com/ofcSstQg7l
— Atul Baral 🇳🇵 (@Atul_Baral33) February 14, 2022
Great sportsmanship shown by @NepalCricket! 👏👏 #Cricket #nepvsire https://t.co/Lek7uEJx9h
— Pavan Karunarathne (@pavan_118) February 14, 2022
I think he waste the bowler efforts who did the outstanding fielding in his own bowl.
Result the batsmen survive and hit six in the next bowl of the same bowler.— Parth (@ugetparth) February 14, 2022
Wonderful moment, Asif Sheikh well and truly shows the spirit of cricket is still alive!#cricket #nepalcricket #NepalvsIreland pic.twitter.com/EpV9DxUqLl
— ₿ibhushan ⭐⭐🇳🇵 (@DexterCFC) February 15, 2022
Ireland ended up winning thanks to Barry McCarthy and McBride's bowling efforts to defend the rather small total.
The 'spirit of cricket' controversy resurfaced a couple of years back when Indian player Ravi Ashwin performed a mankad during the IPL in 2019.
The Indian spinner was at it again in 2021 when he was labelled "disgraceful" by Australian legend Shane Warne last year when he took an extra run after a fielder's throw ricocheted off his Delhi Capitals batting partner Rishabh Pant.
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