All-rounder Farhad Reza said on Tuesday that he was totally surprised to learn that he was being recognised by the International Cricket Council for playing the game in the right spirit.
‘I just don’t believe this,’ Farhad told New Age on Tuesday after hearing that he had been nominated for the ICC Spirit of Cricket award, along with Sri Lankan Mahela Jayewardene.
‘Honestly, I did not expect anything like this, even in my wildest dream,’ said Farhad.
The ICC on Tuesday announced the shortlists for the LG ICC Awards, which see individuals from 12 different ICC members nations nominated for the top individual prizes in international cricket.
The shortlists for both the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Cricketer of the Year and the ICC
Test Cricketer of the Year were announced by ICC chief executive David Richardson.
The award-winners will be announced in Mumbai on 14 December.
An ICC press release added that Farhad would be the lone representative from Bangladesh at the award-giving ceremony for his sportsman-like actions during a match against Pakistan in the group stage of the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.
Farhad took a catch in the deep off Pakistan opener Nasir Jamshed, but his foot was touching the boundary and, before the on-field umpires could refer the play to the third umpire, the 27-year-old Bangladeshi signalled that it had been a six.
‘This was done with minimum fuss,’ said the ICC press release.
‘I think it is very important to uphold the spirit of the game because unless it is played with true spirit the sport loses its appeal,’ said Farhad.
‘The gesture came right from my heart and immediately I informed about it.’
‘Winning and losing is part of cricket, but not above it,’ he added.
Farhad was also optimistic about making a comeback in the national set-up, where
he had created a niche for himself before losing his spot to Ziaur Rahman.
The cricketer from Rajshahi was the leading wicket-taker – tied with Arafat Sunny with 29 wickets each – in the just-concluded Dhaka Premier League, while also scoring 194 runs at an average of 27.71.
‘I completed a good season and am looking forward to make an even bigger contribution to my side,’ said Farhad.
‘I am confident that it won’t take long to make a comeback if I am performing,’ he added.
-With New Age input
