Raza rallies ailing cricketers
Don Makanyanga ZIMBABWE T20 team captain Sikandar Raza has called for an introspection into the senior cricket side following a string of poor results that has left their confidence levels low.
In the last five months, the Chevrons have failed to qualify for both ODI and T20 World Cups.
They are also struggling in the ODI series against visiting Ireland, whom they face again at Harare Sports Club today.
Rescued by rain in the opening match on Wednesday, Zimbabwe suffered a humiliating four-wicket defeat with 59 balls to spare against Ireland in the second one-day international at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Poor batting was again the biggest undoing for the somewhat new-look Chevrons as they were bundled out for 166 in 42.5 overs, with the top four batsmen, including captain Raza, contributing just 15 runs in total.
It took number five, six and eight to give Zimbabwe a total that took an aggregate 83 overs as Ryan Burl (38 from 89 balls), Clive Madande (33 from 42) and Wellington Masakadza (40 from 47 balls) saved the Chevrons from a total of under 100.
Going into the last game of the threematch series today, Ireland have an unassailable 1-0 lead, and will be pushing for a double after a historic T20I series win last weekend.
Ireland and Zimbabwe are now tied on eight wins each from their 21 matches since 2007 with one tie and three no results.
After Friday’s defeat, the Zimbabwe players had a frank and lengthy postmatch team talk that focused on the current state of the Chevrons.
“The first thing was that we had a conversation.
“You can only find a solution to a problem once you admit that there’s a problem.
“We had a strong and honest conversation in the changing room and certainly it will help.
“I would say that my failures have also played a huge part, so I will work harder and be there for the team and the country, and try and get those results. I hope to take some of the youngsters along,” said Raza.
The national team’s changing room has issues, according to Raza, who is currently filling in for the injured Craig Ervine in the longer form of white ball cricket.
“I think it’s very open — the problems. I am not a leader of a side who will tell you those problems.
“Those problems are for myself and for the team to analyse and to discuss and to solve.
“Sometimes you try and solve the issues in-house before you make it public. The only thing I would say is it would be nice to have an opening stand because we haven’t had that, or top three guys, whether it’s T20 or ODI cricket.
“It would be nice to have some sort of partnership at the top. I don’t know how many innings (maybe 16 innings, 17 innings), we haven’t had many partnerships at the top,” said Raza.
Raza dismissed talk that Zimbabwe cricket could be on a slide, arguing that it has only been “at a standstill’’.
“There are concerns out there that our cricket is on a decline.
“I think our cricket is actually at a standstill, when other countries are improving.
“If you don’t improve every day, if you don’t go forward as a team and if you don’t improve every day as an individual when the rest of the world is doing that, their standards start to go up while we remain at a standstill.
“We have had a very good and honest conversation today (Friday), which I think we should have had some time ago,” said Raza.
The all-rounder is confident that the team will pick up the pieces and avoid a tour defeat against Ireland.
“I have faith in all the boys in the changing room.
“I know we have the answer, we can turn the ship around,” he added.
Raza expressed gratitude to the faithful supporters.
“Sunday (today) is going to be massive for us because, again, even though our other match was on a Friday, our fans still came.
“We want to make them proud, the country proud and hopefully try and draw the series and not let Ireland win.
“They won the T20 series and we cannot let Ireland come to our home and win both series.
“So, our motivation is to make sure at least one of the trophies is shared,” said Raza.