Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE T20I skipper, Sikandar Raza, has explained how he has adapted his leadership style to better connect with the current crop of Chevrons players.
While he is one of the oldest members of the team, Raza recognises that a different approach is necessary when working with younger players compared to when he was growing up.
In an interview with the Clubhouse End podcast, Raza (38) described how he has tailored his leadership style to suit each individual in the team, ensuring they also follow him when he wants things done his way.
By doing so, he has created a smoother and more effective team dynamic.
“We were a tougher generation. Now, the current generation is slightly softer. So, I had to mould my way in a way that I am very careful of their emotions and respect them. But at the same time, try and work out a way how to deal with every single individual differently and once I have done that when I want to do things my way then they will follow me,” said Raza.
The Chevrons stalwart said one must first win the players’ buy-in for things to run smoothly. Raza said he has learnt that new methods of leadership are required when dealing with the present generation of players.
“I have to sort of get their buy-in first before I expect them to buy what I have to say, what I have to do and how I want to do it. Now, there aren’t many left that I haven’t worked with previously, so it is much easier and much smoother.
“At first it was tough, I wanted to do things the tougher way or the hard way, in ways that I was taught by my seniors but I have to realise that this is a different generation and a different method is required. But now it’s on auto-pilot, everything runs smoothly,” he said.
Last month, a young Zimbabwe squad with an average age of 26 and a total of 509 T20I appearances participated in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B.
While the team was inexperienced, their most seasoned player was Raza with a commendable 91 matches under his belt.
Ryan Burl, aged 30, followed with 77 games to his name. Raza’s commitment to the team’s success is unwavering. He is always ready to assist a struggling teammate in any way possible.
“It’s who I am. If I think my teammate is struggling, then let me help him out. Not just with the bat but even if we are bowling. If I think that, let me bowl that 19th over, let me bowl that crucial over, let me see if I can bring the game back for my boys.
“In batting and bowling, these things are; how can I help my teammate, how can I make Zimbabwe go forward, a lot of these things go in my head. It’s never about, if I bowl here I’ll get wickets or runs,” he said.
Raza will lead Zimbabwe when they face Pakistan in a three-match T20I series scheduled for Queens Sports Club later this month. They will also play as many one-day internationals (ODIs) at the same venue. —@brandon_malvin
Online Reporter