TWICE rejected for asylum, Abdul Razzaq has been honoured as finalist in a national leadership award.

Mr Razzaq arrived in Australia from Pakistan in 2010. He was keen to play cricket, but couldn’t afford to play in a local league — so he started an asylum-seeker cricket team in Dandenong that was free to join.

Since 2014, the All Nations Social Cricket has recruited more than 25 players from eight countries who play in the annual Victoria Seeker Cup tournament.

For his role in starting the competition and mentoring young players, Mr Razzaq was recognised as one of three nominees in the Sports Leadership category of the Australian Migration and Settlement Awards presented by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

media_camera Community development co-ordinator Rob Koch with Abdul Razzaq. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

While he didn’t win — Life Saving Victoria took out last night’s award — he felt like he’d achieved a lot.

“I really want to motivate other asylum seekers to come out and engage and try and give back,” he said.

Mr Razzaq and his wife came to Melbourne to study but their applications to settle here have been twice rejected and their case was now waiting to be heard at the Federal Court.

In the meantime they were stuck in limbo without access to work, Centrelink or Medicare.

He said it was a tough situation but he was trying to be optimistic.

“It’s very hard. We need to isolate the anxiety — once you get it it’s like a poison, you get so negative.”

But he said even if they were unable to stay he was glad to have made an impact.

“If we have to leave Australia we want to leave something behind. We want to be an example and a role model.”

On top of his cricket commitments, Mr Razzaq also volunteers at Monash Health community centre in Dandenong three days per week.

Development Coordinator at the Refugee Health and Wellbeing Service Rob Koch said Mr Razzaq was an inspiration.

“One of the great strengths he has is an enthusiasm and passion, not just for the game of cricket, but to giving back to the community,” Mr Koch said.