Pakistan-born ace grounds countrymen
SIKANDAR Raza failed a test for Pakistan’s air force but is flying high now after playing a central role in Zimbabwe’s shock T20 World Cup win over the country of his birth.
The 36-year-old all-rounder was born in Pakistan and had wanted to be a pilot, but he was rejected and his family later emigrated to Zimbabwe.
He went on to pursue his higher education in Scotland.
But cricket was his calling and he played domestic cricket in Zimbabwe before making the national side in 2013.
Raza said that he had learnt the game the hard way.
“I picked up cricket late and maybe making up for lost time,” he said. It is the same for his adopted country.
“For Zimbabweans most of the learning is on the job,” the mild-mannered Raza added.
“We don’t get to play top nations a lot, we don’t get to play under lights a lot. This was my first game at Perth.”
Raza has been in top form with the bat and turned hero with the ball in Perth on Thursday to return figures of 3-25 as his Zimbabwe side edged out Pakistan by one run in a World Cup thriller.
Zimbabwe moved to third in a group led by India and put Pakistan in danger of an early exit.
Raza said praise from Australian great Ricky Ponting inspired him to deliver on the biggest stage of all.
Former Australia captain Ponting had spoken highly of Zimbabwe and picked out Raza in a recent clip posted by the International Cricket Council.
“He is 36 but he’s playing with a more youthful exuberance now. Looks like he is 26 again, he is running around the field, enjoying himself and leading from the front,” Ponting said.
Raza said that had been huge confidence boost.
“When I woke up (on Thursday morning) my friend sent me a message and said, ‘ Have you seen a clip on ICC?’ and that was of Ricky Ponting talking about Zimbabwe and me,” Raza said. “I had goosebumps.
“One of the greats of this game talking about Zimbabwe and in particular me.”