After arriving in Australia eight years ago, Pratik was looking for a way to stay connected to the game that had shaped so much of his life. Last season, he found it through umpiring with the South Australian Cricket Association, stepping into Premier Cricket matches for the first time and quickly becoming one of the competition’s most promising new officials.
Now, after just one season, Pratik has been recognised with the South Australian Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association’s (SACUSA) Colin Egar Award for First Year Umpire of the Year.
For Pratik, the award is a reflection of a journey that began decades earlier in Nepal, where cricket was still growing in popularity.
“When I started playing in Nepal back in my childhood days, there were few other people who knew about cricket,” he said.
“I could consider myself one of the first who played the game and who knew the game. Two or three decades later I know the game very well.”
While life and work eventually pulled him away from playing, Pratik’s passion for the sport never faded. A colleague later told him about volunteer umpiring opportunities through SACA, opening the door to a new chapter in the game.
“Since cricket has always been a big part of my life since childhood, I saw it as a great opportunity to contribute back to the sport and community while continuing to learn and grow within the game.” Pratik said.
Pratik spent his first season officiating junior and senior Premier Cricket matches, while completing training courses and learning from experienced mentors along the way.
His first appointment came under lights in a night match, an experience he still remembers vividly.
“What I thought about umpiring would be easy, is not. In the first match I realised that” he laughed.
“You need to judge how the players are doing, you need to give the signals and need to be aware of everything happening at the same time. I realised I needed to learn a lot, but when I started doing it again and again, it helped me improve.”
Among his favourite memories from the season was officiating an Under 13 match where a young batter scored a century to guide his side to victory.
“To see how such a young player performed and how he handled that moment, and took his team to the winning moment was amazing to witness.”
Another unforgettable moment came during the Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval, where Pratik was invited onto the ground as part of Cricket Australia’s volunteer lap of honour.
“It was truly a dream come true and something I’ll always remember.” he said.
Pratik says the support and welcoming nature of South Australia’s umpiring community has played a huge role in his development.
“Being involved in the South Australian umpiring community has been a very positive and welcoming experience,” he said.
“Everyone has been supportive, encouraging, and willing to share knowledge, which has helped me grow both personally and as an umpire.”
Looking ahead, Pratik hopes to continue progressing through the umpiring pathway, complete his Level 2 accreditation and challenge himself in higher-level matches.
But more than anything, he hopes others with a passion for cricket consider following the same path.
“If you love the game, I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy umpiring as well,” he said.
“I even said to my wife, one of the best moments I have in Australia has been the journey of my umpiring.”
Want to get involved in umpiring? Get in touch: umpiring@saca.com.au