Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza Reflects on Loss to India in T20I Match

Harare, Zimbabwe – After a 23-run loss to India in the third T20I match of the series, Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza shared his thoughts on the game. Raza mentioned that giving away 20 extra runs in the first inning was a crucial mistake that cost them the match.

Raza’s Performance

Raza took two wickets and gave away 24 runs in his four-over spell during the first inning. In the second inning, he scored 15 runs from 16 balls, hitting three fours.

Team’s Fielding and Top Order Issues

Raza expressed pride in his team’s fielding but acknowledged that they faltered this time. He admitted that the top order still has issues but remains confident that they will improve in future matches. He noted that they have tried 15 different opening partners in the last year and a half.

Senior Players’ Responsibility

Raza emphasized the need for senior players to step up and avoid mistakes. He mentioned that while it’s acceptable for younger players to make errors, senior players must take responsibility. He also praised Blessing Muzarabani’s performance, stating that rewards will come in the long run.

Match Recap

India chose to bat first, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill forming a 67-run partnership. Shubman Gill continued with a 72-run partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad, leading India to score 182/4 in 20 overs. Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza were the standout bowlers for Zimbabwe.

In their run-chase, Zimbabwe struggled at 39/5 but a 77-run partnership between Dion Myers and Clive Madande revived their innings. However, Indian bowlers managed to restrict Zimbabwe to 159/6 in 20 overs. Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan were the top bowlers for India.