Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid is hoping to stop his international team mate, Moeen Ali, from making it a hat-trick of wins at the 2016 Asian Cricket Awards (ACA) when the annual ceremony returns in September.
Coming off the back of a successful season, Rashid has once again been nominated for the coveted Player of the Year trophy and is likely to prove a stiff challenge to the Worcestershire all-rounder.
The 28-year-old from Bradford made his international Test debut against Pakistan in October 2015 and took five wickets for 64 runs in the second innings in Abu Dhabi.
He cemented his place in the national ODI setup and helped England reach the final of this year’s T20 World Cup competition in India.
Domestically, he has also starred for the Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s Big Bash competition.
“I’m honoured to have been nominated in the 2016 Asian Cricket Awards alongside my England team-mate Moeen Ali,” Rashid said.
“I’m very proud of my Pakistani heritage, and to be representing England at cricket.
“There are so many people in the British-Asian community who give so much to the sport in this country at every level, and I wish all the nominees the very best of luck.”
The ACA, which are held in association with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and supported by the Club Cricket Conference (CCC) are open to people with British-Asian heritage, as well as those dedicated to increasing Asian participation in British cricket.
The 2016 ACA were launched last week at the Kia Oval, with the gala awards ceremony scheduled to take place at the same venue on Friday 23rd September.
Tom Harrison, chief executive of the ECB, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Asian Cricket Awards once again as part of our wider commitment to South Asian communities in England and Wales.
“Our congratulations to all those nominated for these awards, which are a fantastic way of recognising the South Asian players, coaches, officials and volunteers who give so much to our game every year.”
Speaking at the launch, Lord Patel of Bradford, a director of the ECB, said: “Cricket is a great vehicle for bringing people together – different communities, different faiths.
“Over the last three years lots of work has been done – we’ve invested in more than 450 new coaches and umpires, and 2,500 more young Asians are playing indoor cricket. We will continue to be partners and help to make sure the Asian Cricket Awards continue year in, year out.”
