Sikandar Raza Gives Bold Reply After Loss In Pakistan T20I Tri-Series

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza stated he only cares about his team’s African ranking ahead of a crucial tri-series match.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who became the no. 1 ODI all-rounder for the first time this year, declared his indifference towards other teams’ Asian rankings, focusing solely on his team’s goal to become the best in Africa. His comments came ahead of Zimbabwe’s crucial T20I tri-series match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.

When asked if beating Pakistan would be an upset, Raza gave a defiant response about his team’s ambitions. Zimbabwe lost their opening match to Pakistan by five wickets.

Raza’s Defiant Press Conference

“All I would tell you since I’m in a national jersey, all I would tell you is that Zimbabwe is the second-best team in Africa. I do not care who is the first or the second-best team in Asia. I would address that when I’m not in national jersey. Right now, all my focus and attention is it’s a press conference for a Zimbabwean captain and all the questions that I will, and all I should answer is about Zimbabwe. I personally don’t care who is the first or the second or the third or the fourth or the fifth or the tenth,” Raza replied.

The Sialkot-born cricketer elaborated on his team’s continental ambitions.

“We are the second-best team in Africa and hoping to build on that and try to challenge the best team in Africa, which is South Africa, of course, as many times as we are given the opportunity. It might be an upset for you because I can read the room that maybe you people are not giving us too much of a chance in the final to get to the final. But to you guys, it will be an upset. To me, it wouldn’t be. God willing, we’ll get there,” Raza confidently said.

Despite the loss to Pakistan, Sikandar Raza had a satisfactory personal performance. Zimbabwe now prepares to face Sri Lanka on November 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as they continue their campaign in the tri-series.