NGARAVA IS A MAN ON A MISSION
THE year 2023 was largely forgettable for Zimbabwe Cricket but two names reigned supreme at an individual level — Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava.
The two were named in the ICC Men’s T20 Team of the Year, with Raza making it a second appearance.
Our Correspondent BRIGHTON ZHAWI caught up with Ngarava for a quick chat.
Question: Congratulations on making the ICC T20 Team of the Year. How does it feel?
Answer: I feel happy to be part of the ICC team of the year...it is indeed a great feeling.
Q: Your game has shifted to another level, you are picking wickets, bowling quicker and playing with confidence. What do you attribute that to?
A:
Opportunities, wanting to be the best and God’s timing got me to where I am today. Not forgetting all the sweating Walter Karimanzira (Chevrons’ fitness trainer) made me go through. Not forgetting my lovely wife, God’s favourite, she has been there for me through the toughest of times. God is only starting to do big things with me, and I am grateful for the journey so far. All this is confirmation of Proverbs 18:21.
Q: Tell me more about your other favourite phrase, “Game changer”.
A:
I got it from a sermon by my Apostle back in 2020, where he was preaching about being a ‘game changer’ in your family or any tough situation. I personalised that sermon and from that day until now — changing games is all I want to do now. It can be breaking big partnerships, taking big wickets or scoring runs, I want to be the person to do that.
Q: With the way you are enjoying T20 cricket at the moment, I guess you have your eyes set on playing in more major T20 leagues across the world?
A: Well, God willing, if opportunities come, I am grabbing them with open arms. Hopefully, more is coming.
Q: Is T20 cricket your favourite format? A:
White ball cricket, both ODI and T20, is my favourite form. My academy coach (Stuart Matsikenyeri) always wanted me to play Test Cricket, and he feels I am quite good at it. However, I prefer white ball cricket.
Q: You are one of the 22 Zimbabwean bowlers to pick at least 50 ODI wickets, and you are also the country’s second highest wicket taker in T20 internationals. Do such records matter to you? Because I can add that you are sixth on the players with most maidens in T20 internationals.
A: They do, big time! Breaking and setting records is on the vision board I wrote back in 2016 when I was in the Zimbabwe Under-19 squad. That’s what leaders do, they break and set new records. Hopefully, I will take even more wickets to surpass the legend Heath Streak (May His Soul Rest In Peace).