Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
SIKANDAR RAZA made history on Monday, becoming Zimbabwe’s most capped T20I captain, and despite a five wicket defeat to South Africa in the Tri-Series opener, the all-rounder remains optimistic about the team’s progress.
It was Raza’s 39th match at the helm in the shortest format, surpassing Craig Ervine’s 38. The match, played at Harare Sports Club, saw Zimbabwe post 141/6 before South Africa chased the target in 15.5 overs. But Raza believes the scoreboard doesn’t tell the full story.
“We ticked a lot of boxes,” said Raza. “Our power play bowling was good, the seamers outside the power play were brilliant, and we finished strong in the last five overs. Between overs 11 to 20, we scored about 100 runs for two wickets.”
Raza, who top-scored with an unbeaten 54 off 38 balls, his 15th T20I half-century, said Zimbabwe were about 15 to 20 runs short with the bat.
“Between overs seven to 10, we went at just four an over, which put us on the back foot. If we had gone at seven an over, we’d have added 15 or 20 runs, and 142 becomes 165,” he explained. “In winter, 165 isn’t a bad total if you’re batting first. They made it look easy, but we were neck and neck until the 11th over.”
There were bright moments with the bat. Raza praised the approach of Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa and Brian Bennett, calling their intent “brilliant.”
“It’s not easy to bat at five, six and seven in T20. They came out and took the game on, which is a big plus for me,” said Raza. “Bennett’s been brilliant at the top. If we can find someone at number two and three who can also take the game on in a smart way, that would help us a lot.”
Raza stressed the importance of staying grounded and honest in the dressing room.
“I told the team I’m proud of what we did right, but let’s admit what we did wrong,” he said. “You can’t just be positive without being honest. That doesn’t help anyone. There’s a way to give honest feedback that’s constructive and encourages the younger guys.”
He continued, “There’s a lot of good happening, but the standard has to keep rising. That’s all I’m asking. The results will take care of themselves. What matters is that we keep learning, improving, and showing our fans and the media that we’re serious about getting better.”
With the ball, Richard Ngarava stood out with figures of 3/35 in his four overs, while Trevor Gwandu chipped in with 2/15 in 3.1 overs.
Zimbabwe will now regroup ahead of their next clash, a Friday showdown against New Zealand.
Black Caps, Proteas clash in
Triangular Series
Before the Chevrons can return to action, New Zealand white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner will lead the Black Caps in their first international cricket match on Zimbabwean soil in nine years when they take on South Africa in the second match of the T20I Triangular Series at Harare Sports Club this afternoon.
The Black Caps last visited Zimbabwe in 2016 for a Test series against the Chevrons.
Santner, who is one of the few members of the New Zealand side returning to Zimbabwe, is looking forward to the Triangular Series.
“We are very excited. We haven’t been back to Zimbabwe since 2016. So, it’s a great opportunity to play Zimbabwe in this tournament and South Africa as well. So, I am looking forward to this, it’s going to be a great series, no doubt,” said Santner.
After watching the Proteas dominate hosts Zimbabwe with a five-wicket victory on Monday, the Black Caps will be looking to give their rivals a good run in this competition.
They named a strong squad for the tour, unlike South Africa who rested a number of their first-team players. New Zealand are hoping to use the tri-series to help find combinations for the 2026 T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
“First, you want to come here and perform and win games for New Zealand,” said Santner.
“We know how good both these sides are in this competition. In the back of your mind, you’re thinking further ahead to India and Sri Lanka. Before that, we’ve got a lot of games at home as well.
“You want to prove yourself in different conditions. Zimbabwe here is going to play differently from what it’s going to be back in New Zealand, potentially to what we could face in India as well. Finding the right combinations and the right times for those major events,” said Santner.
South Africa stand-in skipper Rassie Van der-Dussen will be aiming to build on the positives from the first game against Zimbabwe.
“It’s obviously a great honour to be captain. Obviously there’s some guys not in the team, so I’m happy to stand-in in the absence of Aiden (Markram),” Van der Dussen said.
Ahead of the series, he said the Proteas were in a good mental space.
He said they have so far enjoyed working with new coach Conrad Shukri, who is leading the Proteas in his debut T20I series. Shukri took over from Rob Walter, who ironically is in charge of New Zealand.
“Working with Shukri so far has been really refreshing. He’s a very straight-to-the-point type of character. Says it like it is, and players appreciate that. Everyone knows where they’re standing.
“He’s very relaxed and chilled in terms of general structure, but there’s a very serious part of him as well in terms of taking responsibility for your preparation and analysis and everything that goes into that.
“He’s had some great results with the Test team, obviously. The guys who’ve played under him in the Test (side) speak really highly of him.
“Coming in the last few days, seeing how he operates and how the whole change room just goes about it with all the support staff. As a player, it’s been really good to see.
“Very specific, but at the same time laid back, I want to say, in a good way. The squad’s in a really good mental space at the moment.”
New Zealand will play Zimbaxt fixture on Friday.
