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Sports Reporter
Punjab Kings stand-in skipper Sam Curran credited all-rounder Sikandar Raza’s all-round performances in the Indian Premier League win over Lucknow Super Giants at the weekend.
Raza was named Player of the Match as he became the first Zimbabwean to pick up the accolade in the IPL. His 57 runs off 42 deliveries was also the first half century by a Zimbabwean batsman in the world’s most lucrative T20 league.
Curran was impressed by Raza as Punjab Kings displayed a sensational performance in their fifth game of the season and thumped Lucknow Super Giants by two wickets, for their third win of the season.
The main architect behind their win was the “brilliant” performance of all-rounder Raza.
Raza first bowled a staggering spell with the ball as took the crucial wicket of Deepak Hooda and returned with the figures of 1/19.
If this was not enough he then chipped in with the bat and played a flamboyant knock to help his side win the game.
Raza came to bat when PBKS were tumbling at 45/3. The right-hander then bailed his side out of trouble and played a staggering knock.
He smashed his maiden half-century in the league and made sure that he keep his side in the hunt. Raza ended with the knock of 57 runs in 41 balls and also smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes in his innings.
He batted with a strike rate of 139.02 and took his side close to the target. His exceptional performance saw him getting the Player of the Match as well.
Curran described the win as amazing and apart from Raza, he also lauded Shahrukh Khan for finishing the innings on high.
The Indian batter smashed lusty blows in the end and score unbeaten 23 runs to win the game for his side. While speaking at the post-match presentation, Curran said: “Amazing win. I thought our spinners bowled nicely.
“KG does what he does. Bit of dew came in but the wicket was offering a little for the bowlers. The way Sikandar Raza played was brilliant. And the way Shahrukh finished it, that’s what he’s in our team to do. His role has been clear in our side.”
Curran, son of the late former Zimbabwe captain and coach Kevin Curran starred with the ball for the Kings, picking up three wickets for 31 runs in his four over spell while South African Kagiso Rabada, returning to the team took two scalps for 34 runs in four overs as well.
Arshdeep Singh, and Harpreet Brar had one wicket each. Super Giants captain Lokesh Rahul top scored with 74 runs off 56 balls.
Apart from being named Player of the Match, Raza was also named Commander of the Match by his team for his brilliant all-round performance. Leading cricket website ESPN CricInfo also had Raza as their Most Valuable Player for the match.
Skipper Dhawan missed the game due to the niggle and there’s no clarity about then the batter will return to the team. Curran hopes that the regular skipper be back soon and said that having plenty of bowling options is good for them.
He said: “Players who can hit sixes from ball one are dangerous. You go from ground to ground — different dimensions — have to come up with different game plans. We’ve got so many options which is lovely to have as a captain. I’ve never done it before. Hopefully Shikhar is fit soon.”
Punjab Kings will next be seen in action when they lock horns against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their next game on Thursday
Online Reporter