ZIMBABWE cricket team batsman Sikandar Raza says he is happy with his new role in the team after recently flourishing while batting further down the order during the recent tour of Pakistan. BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
Previously known as an aggressive top order batsman, Raza scored his maiden One Day International (ODI) century while batting at number five during the second ODI against Pakistan in Lahore. Raza (29), who has also recently developed into a useful offspinner, said he was pleased to repay the faith shown in him by national team coach Dav Whatmore, who had convinced him to take up the new role after the World Cup.
“The credit doesn’t go to me really but a lot of people who have prayed for me behind the scenes. After the World Cup Dav (Whatmore) had a chat with me, he said look I’m trying to build a team where I think I can get the best from every single player and for you your role in the side has to be lower down the order to finish the games,’ he said.
“It’s good that I’ve sought of started to pay back his faith in me but I think he’s put his neck on the line for me for a long time and I’m just glad I can help the team.”
Raza, who is expected to play an important part in the team’s upcoming series against India, said the team’s preparations had been progressing well. “We did the physical side for the first three weeks and now added the skills side to it as well and the mood in the camp is pretty good. Everyone is bubbly, enjoying, relaxed and learning and it’s great,” he said. India recently named a second string side for the three ODIs and two T20Is starting on July leaving out several seniors including Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ravichandran Ashwin. However Raza believes they the World Cup losing finalists would still give them a good run, saying he was looking forward to a competitive series. “They’ve got a few players from the World Cup that are coming and that’s always good and there’ve got quite few youngsters that they’ve been trying to use for a long time so it will be a competitive series. There’s a lot that’s been said but to me you always never player against a cricketer but a country and we are hoping to beat them,” he said. All matches will be played in Harare, with the one-dayers scheduled for July 10, 12 and 14, and the Twenty20 games on July 17 and 19. Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura (Captain), Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams
