TALISMAN Sikandar Raza backed his words with a sublime display as Zimbabwe outclassed Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the ongoing T20I Tri‑Series in Pakistan last Thursday, shooting to the top of the log standings.
The Zimbabwe captain was the team’s second‑highest scorer with 47 off 32 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes. He reached 100 T20I wickets with a scalp for 21 runs in his four overs, becoming the second Zimbabwean to achieve this feat and was deservedly adjudged player of the match.
But earlier, on the eve of the Tri‑Series, Raza astounded all and sundry when he declared his quest to topple Africa’s number‑one team, South Africa, dismissing the notion that Pakistan and Sri Lanka were the best Asian sides.
“Since I am in a national jersey, all I will tell you is that Zimbabwe is the second‑best team in Africa.
“I don’t care who the first or second‑best team in Asia is. I will address that when I am not in a national jersey. Right now, my focus is on my team,” said the Pakistan‑born Zimbabwean skipper.
“This is a press conference for a Zimbabwe captain, so I should answer questions about Zimbabwe.
“I personally don’t care who the first, second, third or fourth‑best team in Asia is.
“We’re the second‑best team in Africa, and we’re looking to build on that. We’re trying to challenge the best team in Africa, which is South Africa.”
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Raza, with the arrogance of a star and the leading all‑rounder, foretold what was going to come in the series.
“It might be an upset for you. I can read the room. Maybe you people are not giving us too much of a chance,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s performance in the series opener against hosts Pakistan was nothing short of a marvel.
They controlled the match for lengthy periods before Pakistan took the game by the scruff of its neck, winning by five wickets with four balls remaining.
The second match against Sri Lanka was pure class; the Chevrons dominated in every department – bat, ball and fielding. Zimbabwe batted first, totaling a commanding 162/8.
Youthful opener Brian Bennett fell one run short of a half‑century again, Raza contributed 47 and Ryan Burl scored 18 from 11 balls.
Brad Evans picked three wickets for nine runs from four overs; Richard Ngarava took the first wicket in Zimbabwe’s first over, picking two for 15, while Raza, Tinotenda Maposa, Burl and Graeme Cremer each claimed a wicket as Zimbabwe romped to a comfortable 67‑run victory.
Raza was named player of the match in a winning cause.
“As a captain you have to lead from the front. Once you see the team captain do all the right things, I need to set an example.
“Once I have good work ethics, I feel everyone will follow.
“You want to be there when the chips are down and be prepared to do the dirty work for the team. If I’m trying, I feel my team is going to try,” said Raza after the commanding victory.
The locals lead the log standings on net run rate after the win against Sri Lanka and can now dare to dream.
“We’ve put ourselves in a decent position to get to the final. We know how good Sri Lanka are. A bad game can happen and I’m glad it happened against us,” added Raza.
The Chevrons are up against Pakistan today for their third match of the series, while yesterday there was a clash of the two Asian sides.
