ZIMBABWE T20I captain Sikandar Raza was yesterday shortlisted for the ICC men's T20I cricketer of the year award.
The swashbuckling all-rounder will battle for the honours with Mark Chapman of New Zealand, Alpesh Ramjani of Uganda and India's Suryakumar Yadav.
This comes hard on the heels of his recognition by Zimbabwe Cricket on Tuesday for his outstanding all-round performances on the continental and international arena last year.
Raza received a US$10 000 cheque and a plaque for his top performance in 2023 to start the new year on a high.
The star all-rounder was appointed T20I captain at the beginning of November, taking over from Craig Ervine in recognition of his contribution on the field. Some of his outstanding performances for 2023 include being named in the ESPNcricinfo T20I team of the year, an Indian Premier League debut with Punjab Kings and player of the tournament and best batter during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier Africa in Namibia.
Raza was nominated CricTracker T20I Cricketer of the year and was an athlete with the most player of the year awards (nine), most half centuries in succession in T20Is (four), most player of the match awards in succession in T20Is (4), most 50s by a Zimbabwean in T20Is (six) and most runs by a Zimbabwean in T20Is (515).
The offspinner also had the highest score by a Zimbabwean in T20Is (82 he scored against Namibia) and he was the first Zimbabwean to get a hat-trick in T20Is and fourth Zimbabwean to reach 50 T20I wickets.
While handing over the award to Raza, ZC managing director, Givemore Makoni said the Pakistan-born master blaster had proved beyond doubt his influence on the field and deserved to be recognised.
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“I think we have been doing it in the past when we had the annual awards and we thought with his achievements and what he has done throughout the season, he deserved recognition from the association. He has scored runs, he has taken wickets, he has led from the front and I think it’s only befitting that we accord him such an honour,” Makoni said.
Raza was overwhelmed as the recognition came just a few hours before the team boarded their plane to Sri Lanka for the upcoming six-match limited overs series in Colombo.
“I didn’t know this was happening. I'm a little speechless and humbled … thank you very much to ZC and everyone involved. It really means a lot and I think this has to be the way going forward as well,” said Raza.
“Long may it continue even after I’m long gone. I think this is a very good start to a tradition and I think we needed it in our organisation. So I’m just speechless to be honest, I wasn’t expecting this.”
In Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe play against the hosts in three One Day Internationals and three T20Is starting with the ODIs on Saturday.
Makoni said the team can beat anyone on their day as long as they are psychologically fit. Walter Chawaguta takes charge of the team in Sri Lanka on an interim basis following the resignation of former coach Dave Houghton in December.
“They’re prepared; it’s really up to them, it’s up there in the head. It’s the same team that beat Australia in Australia, it’s the same team that scored 400 against USA, it’s the same team that beat Pakistan so it’s upstairs for them to go and prove that they’re still a good side,” Makoni added.
