admin
Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER playing franchise cricket virtually in every part of the world, Zimbabwe international Sikandar Raza cannot wait to play on home soil. The 37-year-old who was a marquee signing for Bulawayo Braves, believes the upcoming Zim Afro T10 tournament has so much to offer to domestic cricket and the national team and that is why it is close to his heart. “I am really excited and the reason why this T10 will always be in my heart is because this is the first time any franchise tournament is coming to Zimbabwe.
“I strongly believe that franchise cricket around the world has allowed me to add a lot more skill to my game and the performances that you see on the platform for the national team. It’s not just down to the national team but to the fact that I have been part of the franchise cricket.
“Franchise cricket has immensely helped me in developing my game, my skills, analysing the situation and things like that. So this first franchise tournament, being the Zim Afro T10, is very special.
“This will definitely help my countrymen to improve the skills which they will take to the national team. So the national team will also benefit and the country will benefit from this T10 as well,” said Raza.
The Zim Afro T10, organised by Zimbabwe Cricket and T Ten Global Sports, is franchise cricket’s first foray into Zimbabwe and it is expected to be an absolute carnival of cricket. They have roped in Zim Cyber City as title sponsors.
The historic tournament will have five teams battling it out for top honours and these are Harare Hurricanes, Durban Qalandars, Cape Town Samp Army, Bulawayo Braves and the Johannesburg Buffaloes.
A number of Zimbabwean players have been picked in the draft, with Raza the only local who was a marquee signing. National team captain Crain Ervine has been named captain of Qalandara while Sean Williams will be vice-captain of the Cape Town Samp Army.
A number of international stars are also set to make the trip to Harare for the tournament, which promises fireworks. Zimbabwean players have a lot to learn from the rare exposure to this brand of competitive cricket.
Raza’s Bulawayo Braves are expected to set the stage alight against Harare Hurricanes in the opening match next Thursday. The match starts at 7pm and will be played under lights at Harare Sports Club.
This is the first time that Harare Sports Club hosts night cricket games. The floodlights project, which has taken over a decade to complete, is likely to be done and dusted by the time the first ball is bowled.
“What we can expect from this tournament of course is the fast-paced games, a lot of wickets, a lot of runs, a lot of great catches, a high quality standard tournament where everybody can showcase their skills whether you have a ball or bat in hand or you are in the field,” said Raza. “It is such a fast-paced game where players will develop their skills quickly and once they do that; you will see how well they will entertain the crowds. For me T10 is about two things.
Online Reporter