Who will succeed Moeen Ali?

The countdown has begun to decide who will follow in the footsteps of England and Worcestershire star Moeen Ali and be named as Player of the Year at the second Talk Home Mobile Asian Cricket Awards (ACA).

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 to those dedicated to increasing Asian participation in British cricket.

The 2015 awards were launched at Lord’s Cricket Ground last week, with the gala ceremony scheduled to take place at Lord’s on Tuesday 13 October. Moeen, who is currently on tour with England in the West Indies, picked up the 2014 award last October and he will be an ambassador for this year’s star-studded event.

“I am very proud of my heritage and honoured to be representing England,” he said. “The British Asian talent pool is immense and I really hope to see more players make it through to the top level. An event such as this, at the home of cricket, helps to give British Asians the platform they deserve.”

The ACA, sponsored by Talk Home Mobile, aim to improve the awareness of the positive impact made by Asians within the British cricket industry and to engage with organisations and individuals to help increase participation.

Other big names honoured at the 2014 awards included Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Chief Executive Wasim Khan MBE, former England captain Nasser Hussain OBE, former England bowler Isa Guha and Worcestershire CCC’s Salma Bi.

England and Essex batsman Ravi Bopara, currently playing in the Indian Premier League with Sunrisers Hyderabad, said. “The Asian Cricket Awards is a great initiative that recognises the entire cricket industry.

“I am proud to be an ambassador for the event during my benefit year with Essex. I believe in putting back into the community and hope that future generations can draw inspiration from this much-needed initiative.”

The ECB’s national volunteer and participation manager Jane Hannah said: “The ECB are privileged and delighted to be the associate partner once again for the Talk Home Mobile Asian Cricket Awards.

“Last year’s celebration of cricket, from grass roots up to the professional game, was fantastically successful in highlighting the contribution that British Asians make to the game.”

The Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “I have seen some of the fantastic work that is being done in this country to involve more and more people in sport and I encourage the use of sport to build a better society and a stronger Britain.

“I believe we are stronger not when we look at each other’s differences but when we celebrate all of the things we have in common. The Asian community is now a real part of cricket in this country and that is so important to me.

“These Awards are a valuable addition to a game that unites so many people and brings them together across all communities to help break down barriers.”

The ACA are organised by Inventive Sports, and the organisation’s cofounder, Baljit Rihal, said: “Our inaugural event at Lord’s last year was a tremendous success, and this year’s awards will be bigger and better.

“Our objective is not only to raise awareness of the fantastic achievements of individuals and organisations, but also to ensure the future involvement of British Asians in cricket.”

Nominations for the 2015 Talk Home Mobile Asian Cricket Awards will be open between Monday 1 June and Monday 17 August 2015. For all details on voting go to: www.asiancricketawards.co.uk.

The categories, judges and ambassadors are available HERE

* Wasim is pictured here with Sonia Odedra, who started her career playing for Leicestershire women in 2008.