Raza: ILT20’s top asset

SIKANDAR Raza is a force to reckon with in the world of 20-over cricket. The Zimbabwean star all-rounder and T20 captain has been in scintillating form since 2023 and has carried his momentum into 2024. His performance in the International League T20 (ILT20) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been nothing short of spectacular.

The ILT20 is a star-studded league that features some of the best players in the world, such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Trent Boult, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran and Alex Hales. But among them, Raza stands out as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the league, with his superb batting and bowling skills. Raza plays for Dubai Capitals, and has been instrumental in their success this season.

Raza has scored runs and taken wickets in every match he has played and has been leading the race for the league’s red belt, which is awarded to the MVP of the league. Raza has a rating of 241 points, 59 points ahead of his nearest rival, Boult, who has 182 points. David Wiley is third with 179 points, followed by Jamie Overton with 171,5 points and Hasaranga with 170,5 points.

The rating of a player is calculated based on the total impact of his batting and bowling performance in a match, taking into account the context of the game.

Raza has excelled in both departments, scoring 303 runs from 10 innings at an average of 33,66, and taking 12 wickets from as many innings with an economy rate of 6,11. His best match figures are 3/21.

**Sikandar Raza with the ILT20’s Green Belt**

Raza’s phenomenal performance has earned him the accolade of the Emirates NDB Most Bankable Player of the Week, as chosen by a panel of commentators.

“Whether crucial wickets in the middle overs or last ball finishes to get a win for the team, Raza’s skills are truly exceptional,” ILT20 posted on their website

Raza has also led Dubai Capitals to the final of the tournament, which will be played today against Mumbai Indians Emirates. In the second qualifier match on Thursday, Raza and his team thrashed Gulf Giants by nine wickets. Raza contributed with the ball, taking one wicket as Dubai Capitals restricted Gulf Giants to 138/6 in 20 overs. He did not get to bat, as Dubai Capitals chased down the target in 15,5 overs, ending on 139/1.

Raza dismissed Jamie Smith for a duck, and finished with figures of 1/27 in three overs. Scott Kuggeleijn, Olly Stone, Holder, and Haider Ali also took one wicket each. James Vince was the top scorer for Gulf Giants with 58 runs off 53 balls, while Chris Jordan was unbeaten on 30 runs off 29 balls. Dubai Capitals’ opener, Leus du Ploy, scored an unbeaten 63 runs off 40 balls, while Tom Banton made 38 runs off the same number of balls. — @brandon_malvin