The Herald
Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports activities Reporter
ZIMBABWE nationwide cricket group all-rounder Sikandar Raza yesterday stated the Chevrons had been leaving Australia with heavy hearts after the group did not make the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup.
The Chevrons completed backside in Group 2 of the Tremendous 12s following Sunday’s 71 runs defeat to group winners India.
Ultimately it was India and Pakistan who pulled by way of from the group, which additionally had South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
The Chevrons, who reached their excessive once they shocked former champions Pakistan by one run of their second sport, are actually anticipated residence this week.
However as they return, they’d look again at quite a few missed alternatives which included the shut three-run defeat to Bangladesh and the shock five-wicket loss to the Netherlands, which successfully extinguished their probabilities within the Group 2 that had been stored open by a string of sudden outcomes.
Nevertheless it was not all gloom for Zimbabwe, who had been taking part in within the Tremendous 12s for the primary time in six ICC T20 World Cup appearances.
Star all-rounder Raza made such a huge effect on the event. His 219 runs positioned him among the many high 5 run scorers on the conclusion of the Tremendous 12 stage. Raza was solely surpassed by India’s Virat Kohli (246), Max O’Dowd of the Netherlands (242), Suryakumar Yadav (225) and Kusal Mendis (223) of Sri Lanka. His rating of 82 runs in opposition to Eire was additionally among the many high 5 particular person scores in an innings. Raza additionally had the very best bowling figures for Zimbabwe along with his 3-19 in opposition to the West Indies.
Quick bowler Blessing Muzarabani had essentially the most wickets for Zimbabwe after getting 12 scalps on the World Cup. Raza was second with 10. He paid tribute to the Zimbabwean followers based mostly in Australia who had been behind the group all through.
“Leaving Australia with a heavy coronary heart however thanks for therefore many nice reminiscences. Particular point out to everybody who turned up on the grounds to assist us; you represented individuals again residence rather well.
“Lastly hope the Chevrons made you consider and smile. See you quickly residence,” tweeted Raza.
This has been the very best 12 months for Raza, who hit a brand new milestone after he grew to become the first-ever participant within the historical past of T20I cricket to attain 500-plus runs and take 25 wickets in a calendar 12 months.
The all-rounder achieved this landmark in opposition to India in his aspect’s closing Tremendous 12 conflict at Melbourne Cricket Floor on Sunday.
Within the match, Raza scored 34 off 24 balls with the bat and took 1/18 in three overs as a bowler. However his contributions weren’t sufficient to safe a win for Zimbabwe.
This 12 months, Raza has scored 735 runs in 24 matches in 23 innings at a mean of 35.00. 5 half-centuries have come out of his bat, with the very best particular person rating of 87.
He has scored these runs at a strike fee of 150.92. Raza has additionally taken 25 wickets at a mean of 17.68 and an economic system fee of 6.13.
Based mostly on these wonderful statistics, the 36-year-old made historical past when he grew to become the primary Zimbabwean cricketer to win the ICC Participant of the Month in August.
He beat main all-rounders Mitchell Santner of New Zealand and England’s Ben Stokes to the award. Raza was nominated for the second time in three months for the October award. However the fairy-tale was disrupted when he was overwhelmed to the rostrum by India’s in-form batsman Virat Kohli within the October poll.
The winner of the award is decided by way of a worldwide vote carried out amongst media representatives, ICC Corridor of Famers, former worldwide gamers, and followers registered at icc-cricket.com
Supply: www.herald.co.zw
