Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE T20I captain Sikandar Raza delivered a complete all-round performance to drag Sharjah Warriorz to their first International League T20 win of the season, earning the player of the match award in a tense six-run victory over Mumbai Indians Emirates on Sunday evening.
The result ended a frustrating start to the campaign for the Warriorz, who had opened their season with three losses from their first four outings.
Raza left his mark with both bat and ball. Asked to bat first, the Warriorz posted 174/3, with Raza contributing a vital 29 runs at a stage when momentum needed to be sustained. He then turned the game with the ball, claiming two wickets as Emirates were held to 168/5.
The Chevrons stalwart walked in at number three after Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Johnson Charles had laid a solid platform with a 112 runs opening stand inside 13,3 overs. Raza faced 22 balls for his 29, striking two fours and a six before being caught off the final delivery of the innings.
Charles anchored the innings with a polished 77 off 53 balls, while Kohler-Cadmore added 30 from 32 deliveries. James Rew provided late impetus, finishing unbeaten on 24 from 14 balls to lift the Warriorz to a competitive total.
Raza then struck early with the ball, removing Jonny Bairstow for 31 off 23 balls to break a threatening 68-run opening partnership with Muhammad Waseem. He followed that up in his next over by dismissing Waseem for 44 off 29 balls, leaving Emirates 81/2 after 9,4 overs.
Raza completed his spell with impressive figures of 2/15 from four overs at an economy rate of 3,75. Junaid Siddique also chipped in with 2/35 from his four overs, while Matheesha Pathirana claimed the remaining wicket.
Nicholas Pooran top-scored for Emirates with an unbeaten 48 off 35 balls, while Waseem was the second highest run scorer with 44.
Fresh from their breakthrough win, Raza and the Warriorz were back in action last night against Gulf Giants. At the time of publication, that match was still in progress. — @brandon_malvin
