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Brandon Moyo
ZIMBABWE Cricket’s star all-rounder and T20I captain, Sikandar Raza’s form in the shortest version of the game has seen him being snatched up by English side Northamptonshire for this year’s edition of the Vitality Blast.
The Chevrons stalwart’s form in 20 over cricket has made him a wanted man all over the world and he will be available for the Steelbacks for all 14 matches of the group stage. This will be his debut appearance in the English T20 league.
Ranked as the fifth-best T20I all-rounder in the world, Raza brings a wealth of experience in the shorter format, boasting of over 200 games and said he cannot wait to fulfil his dream of playing in the Vitality Blast and set it ablaze. His focus is clear and that is to help his side win matches while playing entertaining cricket.
“I’m delighted to be coming to Northamptonshire. This will be a different challenge for me but I’ve loved playing cricket in England in the past. It’s always been a wish to play in the Vitality Blast so I’m looking forward to fulfilling that.
“I would like to entertain the fans and put a smile on their faces with as many wins as possible. Our first task is to secure a quarter-final spot and then take that momentum and belief into the latter stages and hopefully lift the trophy.
“Looking at the side we have a decent squad and a lot of good players, I’m looking forward to using my experience to help us win as many games as possible and help the younger players as well,” said Raza.
The Steelbacks’ coach, John Sadler knows what the Chevrons ace is capable of and believes he will bring a lot of value to his team with his wealth of experience and skill.
“We’re delighted with the signing of Sikandar for the Blast. He’s a very experienced, high performer on a global scale. He’s a three-dimensional cricketer who always has an impact in every game he plays, we know he’s also a fierce competitor which will be fantastic for us,” said Sadler.
Raza is not a new face to global T20 cricket leagues having already participated in some of the world’s biggest franchise leagues.
He has played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lankan Premier League (LPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the International League T20 (ILT20) among others.
He is also in the running for the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I Player of the Year for 2023 and recently became the first player in the format’s history to score five consecutive half-centuries while also taking at least two wickets
“I’m delighted to be coming to Northamptonshire.
“This will be a different challenge for me but I’ve loved playing cricket in England in the past. It’s always been a wish to play in the Vitality Blast so I’m looking forward to fulfilling that.
“I would like to entertain the fans and put a smile on their faces with as many wins as possible.
“Our first task is to secure a quarter-final spot and then take that momentum and belief into the latter stages and hopefully lift the trophy.
“Looking at the side we have a decent squad and a lot of good players, I’m looking forward to using my experience to help us win as many games as possible and help the younger players as well,” said Raza.
The Steelbacks’ coach, John Sadler knows what the Chevrons ace is capable of and believes he will bring a lot of value to his team with his wealth of experience and skill.
“We’re delighted with the signing of Sikandar for the Blast. He’s a very experienced, high performer on a global scale.
“He’s a three-dimensional cricketer who always has an impact in every game he plays, we know he’s also a fierce competitor which will be fantastic for us,” said Sadler.
Raza is not a new face to global T20 cricket leagues having already participated in some of the world’s biggest franchise leagues.
He has played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lankan Premier League (LPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the International League T20 (ILT20) among others.
He is also in the running for the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I Player of the Year for 2023 and recently became the first player in the format’s history to score five consecutive half-centuries while also taking at least two wickets.
Online Reporter