By Emb Hashmi
The ICC champion’s cup 2013 Sri Lankan ambassador super star BBC Radio 1 DJ Nihal is elated to be part of such an exciting tournament and very patriotic towards his cultural home Sri Lanka, who he believes is the home of the best cricket team ever. So much so he has a tattoo of the Sri Lankan Lion and sword on his arm, even though he is a British born Essex boy.
“I like cricket, I play cricket in the garden in the summer with my kids, and I’m going to take part in a celebrity cricket match this summer,” Nihal is passionate about international cricket and simply loves the Sri Lankan team in fact he could not emphasis this enough through his exclusive interview with Asian World.
Nihal reminisced about when Sri Lanka lost to India back in 2007, and how excited everyone was, he said he turned his house into a Sri Lankan shrine with lots of native food and really made an effort, however his beloved motherland lost to India and Nihal said as he has many Indian friends he did endure a few friendly exchanges, “I wish I could have locked myself in my house that week” said Nihal.
“Sri Lanka is a better team than the West Indies, I don’t know why they don’t win major tournaments, it could be nerves or psychological, but in my opinion they are always the better team.” said Nihal.
Nihal strongly believes cricket is a sport for everyone to enjoy as it is much cheaper to go and watch then Britain’s most popular sport football. Nihal went on to say anyone under the age of 16 can go watch a match of cricket for £5, and if your under 21 then its £25 and under.
“The ICC are making it cheap enough and accessible enough to open cricket up to everyone especially if you love cricket, the ICC Champion cup will be held in 3 UK cities, plus there is a whole day of sport unlike football which lasts only 90 minutes.” Nihal has a strong argument for every cricket lover, and hopes as many people as possible will come and show support not just for the champions cup but throughout the cricket season.
Asian World exclusively spoke to Nihal about his love for cricket and life.
Do you support a county cricket team as well as an international one?
As I am an Essex boy I will have to support my county, although I am not a big follower of country cricket.
Best Cricket Memory?
Well I’m not sure it is the best cricket memory but it was very strange it was Sri Lanka playing in Australia in 2007, where there was a blackout and I was drunk, it was quite a night.”
Favourite Cricket personality?
Malinga’ has to be my most favourite cricketer, he’s a dude, he’s exciting, he’s rock and roll, he’s unorthodox, and he runs like a jet rocket.
Favourite sports personality?
Kumar Sangakkara , I’ve met him, he is such a charming honourable decent human being, an amazing amazing guy.
3 words to describe ICC Champions cup 2013?
Inclusive, inspiring and amazing.
Favourite food?
Egg Godumba with chicken curry.
What did you want to do as a child?
I wanted to be a barrister, but in my mid-teens I was into music in a big way and at 21 I managed to get a record deal so my career as a DJ followed my love for music.
Nihals Legacy..
Someone who’s interested in life and someone who has greed for knowledge.
