Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe national cricket team is set to receive a major boost ahead of the limited-overs series against Bangladesh, with star all-rounder Sikandar Raza expected to rejoin the squad this weekend.
Raza, who missed the historic Test triumph over Bangladesh this week, is set to link up with the Chevrons in preparation for the three-match One-Day International series, which begins at Harare Sports Club on Monday, before the action shifts to Bulawayo for the Twenty20 International matches.
The experienced all-rounder was unavailable for the one-off Test after Zimbabwe Cricket granted him permission to fulfil county cricket commitments with Worcestershire in England’s Vitality Blast competition.
However, the Zimbabwe T20 captain is due to make his last contributions for Worcestershire in the match against Kent today before travelling home for national duty.
His return comes as welcome news for coach Justin Sammons and a Zimbabwe side buoyed by one of the greatest victories in the country’s cricket history.
Worcestershire confirmed Raza’s departure in a statement, acknowledging his significant contribution during the Vitality Blast campaign.
“Worcestershire County Cricket Club can confirm that Sikandar Raza has been called up to join a Zimbabwe training camp,” the club said.
“The Zimbabwe captain has made a significant impact during his time at New Road, contributing with both bat and ball across the competition.”
The county side highlighted Raza’s impressive numbers, noting that he currently boasts Worcestershire’s highest batting average of 35.8 in this season’s Vitality Blast. He also owns the best strike rate among players who have batted more than once, scoring at 145.3.
The veteran has been equally effective against both pace and spin, recording strike rates of 152 and 137, respectively.
With the ball, Raza claimed seven wickets in eight matches while maintaining an economy rate of 6.90, making him Worcestershire’s most economical overseas bowler in T20 cricket since 2017.
His value to Zimbabwe has long been evident, and national team coach Sammons admitted the all-rounder’s presence invariably strengthens the team.
“Raza is always going to add value to any team he plays in, so whenever he’s missing, it’s a big loss,” said Sammons.
However, Raza’s absence was barely felt in the recent Test match as the Chevrons produced a remarkable innings-and-85-run victory over Bangladesh.
The triumph was the largest Test win in Zimbabwe’s history, and it followed another innings victory over Afghanistan in their previous Test, giving the Chevrons back-to-back Test victories for the first time in recent memory.
It also marked Bangladesh’s first innings defeat against Zimbabwe in 25 years.
While Zimbabwe will take confidence from that result, the upcoming ODI series is expected to present a different challenge.
Bangladesh entered the contest in strong limited-overs form, having won four consecutive bilateral ODI series before arriving in Zimbabwe, including a landmark series triumph over Australia last month.
Historically, the Tigers have dominated the ODI rivalry, winning 51 of the 81 matches played between the two nations, with Zimbabwe claiming 30 victories.
However, the Chevrons can draw inspiration from their last ODI meeting with Bangladesh, when they secured a 2-1 series victory at home in 2022.
Zimbabwe captain Richard Ngarava said the hosts are determined to build on their momentum.
“Our goal is to win the series. It’s as simple as that,” Ngarava said.
“We want to go and try and execute our game plans and our skills as best as possible and really go out there with the belief.
“I think that’s something that I want to see from the group, it is in actually portraying body language that really shows a strong belief in their ability,” said Ngarava.
The ODI matches will be played at Harare Sports Club next Monday, Thursday and Saturday before the teams head to Bulawayo for the T20I leg.
The three T20I matches are scheduled to be played at Queens Sports Club on July 15, 17 and 19. Bangladesh are also expected to be strengthened by the return of several frontline players who were rested for the Test match.
The Tigers named Towhid Hridoy as captain for the T20I series after regular skipper Litton Kumar Das was granted leave to participate in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Litton, along with fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, will miss the T20I series to honour their LPL commitments.
All-rounder Mosaddek Hossain earned a recall to the T20I squad following his impressive recent form. The selectors also recalled Yasir Ali, who is set for his first T20I appearance in nearly three years after last representing Bangladesh during the Asian Games in October 2023.
Pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin also returned after missing the home white-ball series against Australia, while Shamim Hossain has been rested following a string of low scores.
