Vusumuzi Dube
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN all-rounder, Sikandar Raza got his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with the Punjab Kings off to a brilliant start after they recorded a seven runs win (D/L method) over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium yesterday.
Coming in to bat at number five, Raza scored 16 runs off 13 balls as Kings posted 191/5 in 20 overs. He went on to pick up one wicket for 25 runs in three overs, Kolkata Knight Riders only managing 146/7 in 16 overs after the target was revised due to rain delay.
Raza, who became only the third Zimbabwean to play in the prestigious league, scored one four and one six during his time in the middle, striking at 123. 07 percent. With ball in hand, the all-rounder took the wicket of Riders’ captain, Nitish Rana who finished with 24 runs off 17 balls.
Other Zimbabweans to have played in the IPL are Raymond Price and Tatenda Taibu. Brendan Taylor was in 2014 signed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad was but never got to travel to India after delaying his trip to the Asian country due to his wedding, was placed on standby and was never called up.
Next up for Raza and the Kings side is a clash against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday afternoon in Guwahati.
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Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter