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Aarif Sheikh

Aarif Sheikh (born 4 October 1997) is a key Nepalese right-handed top/middle-order batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, renowned as a calm and consistent "anchor" in Nepal's senior team. He played in Nepal’s first-ever ODI (2018), has scored over 1,400 ODI runs, and was part of the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, known as the "Ice Man". 

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Full Name
Md Aarif Sheikh
Born
4 October 1997
Place Of Birth
Birgunj
Country
Nepal
Role
Allrounder
Batting Style
Right Handed Bat
Bowling Style
Right-arm medium pace
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Stats

Match Format Date Runs BF 4s 6s SR
Nepal vs China · Group A T20I May 31, 2026 11 10 1 1 110.00
Nepal vs United States of America · Match 109 ODI May 22, 2026 18 10 0 2 180.00
Nepal vs Scotland · Match 107 ODI May 18, 2026 8 23 0 0 34.78
Nepal vs Scotland · Match 104 ODI May 12, 2026 3 5 0 0 60.00
Nepal vs Oman · Match 103 ODI May 5, 2026 43 24 1 4 179.17
Nepal vs United Arab Emirates · Match 101 ODI May 1, 2026 11 16 1 0 68.75

Major Teams Represented

  • National Team: Nepal (2015–present)
  • Other Teams: Nepal Under-19, Bhairahawa Gladiators, Panchakanya Tej, Mahendranagar United, Nepal Emerging, Nepal Police Club, Biratnagar Super Kings, Pokhara Avengers, Nepal A, Nepal Red, Sudurpaschim Royals

Key Debuts

  • ODI Debut: Against the Netherlands on August 1, 2018 (Cap 1).
  • T20I Debut: Against the Netherlands on July 29, 2018 (Cap 18).
  • First-Class Debut: Against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on November 6, 2019.
  • List A Debut: Against Namibia on January 21, 2015. 

Statistics (as Of February 2026)

  • One Day Internationals (ODIs): 65 Matches, 1405 Runs (Avg: 28.10), Highest Score: 84, 9 Wickets.
  • T20 Internationals (T20Is): 49 Matches, 592 Runs (Avg: 18.50), Highest Score: 39*, 4 Wickets.
  • List A: 89 Matches, 1713 Runs (Avg: 23.46), Highest Score: 84, 9 Wickets.
  • T20 (Domestic): 56 Matches, 765 Runs (Avg: 20.67), 5 Wickets. 

Records & Achievements

  • World Cup: Member of Nepal’s squad for the 2026 T20I World Cup.
  • International Performance: Known for being a consistent run-scorer in ODI cricket, often rescuing the team in middle-order collapses.
  • 2019 South Asian Games: Part of the team that won a Bronze Medal.
  • Awards: Frequently named Player of the Match, including multiple times in the 2024/25 ODI league series. 

Trophy & Championships

  • 2019 South Asian Games: Bronze Medal.
  • 2014 ACC Premier League: Part of the winning squad.
  • 2016 Everest Premier League: Winner (with Panchakanya Tej).
  • National Tournaments: Active participant and top performer in Nepal's domestic tournaments like the Prime Minister Cup (with Nepal Police Club).