Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SIKANDAR RAZA was in a surprisingly chirpy mood ahead of the start of Zimbabwe’s three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka at Harare Sports Club this afternoon.
Zimbabwe are fresh off getting swept by the Asians 2-0 in the One Day International but the Chevrons T20 skipper, Raza, has opted to stay positive and concentrate on the fight and resolve which the hosts demonstrated in the One Day Internationals.
“I’m a big believer of, and I’ve always said that, once you start looking at the end result, once you start looking at the wins and the losses, suddenly the whole process gets away from you and it doesn’t help,” said the Zimbabwe T20 captain.
“I thought the way we batted, fielded and bowled in the ODI series should give us a lot of confidence to have another exciting T20 series against Sri Lanka as well, against a very good opposition as well.
“You can only cross the line once the processes are right. We have done a lot of things right. If you look at both games, I think first game and second game out of the 100 overs, Zimbabwe did really well out of maybe 80 overs of those.
“So that’s a big plus in my books,” he said.
It is the very mentality that Raza hopes Zimbabwe will carry into the T20 format.
The two nations are slated to square off in three T20 matches with the first match starting today.
The series with then wrap up with back-to-back matches on Saturday and Sunday with all games being played at Harare Sports Club.
With Zimbabwe scheduled to host the 2026 World Cup Africa Qualifiers next month, Raza believes that everything that the Chevrons do from here onwards should be challenged towards that event.
“We just couldn’t cross the line during the ODIs but that comes from experience,” he said.
“We learn from our mistakes and, hopefully, try and put the best foot going forward.
“For Zimbabwe, the T20 qualifiers have started and we have to put our best foot forward every game because as we know, qualifiers are quite cut-throat as well.
“So, we are going to treat these three games as part of our qualifiers as well.
“One win or one loss can change things dramatically, so that is the message I have given in the changing room.
Zimbabwe Cricket yesterday named their squad for their T20 squad for the Sri Lanka series, given the first indications of the team that will do duty for the nation at the World Cup qualifiers slated for September 23-October 4.
Among the notable inclusions were the returns of Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams.
Williams is making his comeback to the shortest format after last playing against Bangladesh in May 2024.
Joining him is experienced wicketkeeper-batter Taylor, who recently returned to the Test and ODI formats after serving an International Cricket Council ban.
Alongside Williams and Taylor, Brad Evans and Tadiwanashe Marumani have also earned places in the squad.
Dropping out from the team that featured in last month’s triangular series against New Zealand and South Africa are Newman Nyamhuri, Wessly Madhevere, Vincent Masekesa and Tafadzwa Tsiga.
Speaking on the squad, Raza actually revealed that he personally had a hand in convincing Williams to reverse his retirement from the format.
“Yeah, it’s nice to have Willow (Williams) back. We had this conversation (return) a few months back, during one of the Test matches.
“I had a chat with him one-on-one and I said ‘I would like you to come back’.
“I told him that ‘you just have to decide for yourself with your family as it’s an opportunity to get to the World Cup. Willow took some time and he decided that, ‘yes, he’s ready’
“We had to look at his workload as he is an all-rounder, playing every single game for Zimbabwe and so his fitness level is time away from the family. “He had to consider all those things.
“And after speaking to the family and the people that he trusts, he decided to come back and we are very blessed and happy to have him is back. The same goes for BT (Taylor) as well,” he said.
Zimbabwe Squad:
Sikandar Raza (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams
