Sikandar Raza Optimistic About Zimbabwe's Chances in T20 World Cup

Zimbabwe's T20 World Cup Aspirations

By Diptayan Hazra

Sharjah [Abu Dhabi], December 19: Sikandar Raza, the all-rounder for Zimbabwe and a key player for Sharjah Warriors, is confident that his national team can create unforgettable moments at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He draws strength from their increasing experience in international cricket and notable past victories against major teams.

Zimbabwe has a history of remarkable wins in T20 World Cup events, including triumphs over teams like Australia and Pakistan. Raza believes that this legacy still holds significance.

“I genuinely believe and hope that Zimbabwe has a strong chance of achieving great results at the T20 World Cup,” Raza expressed.

One of the most encouraging developments for Zimbabwe has been the increase in matches played across various formats, a situation that had been lacking for years. Raza sees this as a transformative factor for both performance and visibility.

“Most importantly, it has expanded our player pool,” he elaborated.

“With the number of games we’ve played this year and last, we’ve been able to provide opportunities to deserving players who might not have had a chance before due to limited fixtures,” he added.

Raza emphasized that the regular series have enabled Zimbabwe to identify players ready for the international stage.

“This year, we had series every couple of months, including back-to-back ones. This has allowed us to assess who is ready for international cricket and who has the potential to represent the nation,” he noted, mentioning that the increased schedule has made Zimbabwe more visible globally.

“Zimbabwe is making its mark and achieving significant wins, and most importantly, we have a larger pool of players,” he stated.

As discussions continue about expanding the World Test Championship (WTC) to include all Test-playing nations, Raza welcomed the idea of Zimbabwe competing in the longest format.

“I believe Zimbabweans should feel confident about facing WTC challenges because the only way to gauge your abilities is to participate,” he remarked.

“If you’re not involved, you can’t assess your capabilities. So, the only way to find out is to be part of it,” he added.

Raza expressed excitement about Zimbabwe's potential participation in the WTC if it expands.

He praised young batter Brian Bennett, who has consistently impressed over recent seasons, calling him a promising talent.

“He’s a very consistent player with a good understanding of the game,” Raza said.

“With each tour and game, his performance is improving. He is among the few players who will represent Zimbabwe cricket in the future,” he noted.

Raza also acknowledged the significant role of franchise cricket in his development and the evolution of the sport.

“Franchise cricket has greatly benefited me. Being in the changing room with legends and players from various countries has been invaluable,” he stated.

“I believe franchise cricket has also enhanced international cricket, as scores have increased since its introduction, thanks to the confidence gained from new techniques,” he added.

Regarding the International League T20 (ILT20) and its impact on cricket in the Middle East, Raza expressed optimism.

“The potential of this league is evident,” he said.

“It’s great for the growth of local players, and ILT20 has opened doors for African associate nations like Sierra Leone, Botswana, Uganda, and Mozambique,” he noted.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia's involvement with the league as a promising sign for the future.

“Saudi Arabia’s partnership with ILT20 indicates that this league is set to grow stronger,” Raza remarked.

Having been part of the ILT20 since its inception, Raza shared his positive experiences with the tournament and his current team.

“I’ve been involved with ILT20 for three years, and this is my fourth year,” he said.

Now playing for Sharjah Warriors, Raza enjoys the diverse environment.

“With ten overseas players in one team, I’ve always loved Dubai and this tournament. This year, I’m with Sharjah Warriors, and I know many of the players, which makes it enjoyable,” he said.

Reflecting on the Warriors’ performance, Raza acknowledged a mixed record with two wins and three losses but believes the team is gaining momentum.

“We lost three consecutive matches, but we remained optimistic about our approach,” he said.

“We were close in the last two games, losing in the final over. Now that we’ve secured back-to-back wins, I hope we can maintain this momentum and achieve more victories,” he concluded.