B-Metro
Fungai Muderere
ZIMBABWE’s T20 World Cup star Sikandar Raza announced through his Twitter account that he has 100 tickets to give as a thank you for the support the national team has been getting.
The Pakistani immigrant, who has proved to be more Zimbabwean than most Zimbos, will avail tickets to local cricket fans, dishing them free of charge like confetti at a wedding, to enable them to cheer the Chevrons at Harare Sports Club on Saturday in their numbers.
This is all in the true spirit of reminding Zimbabweans of who they are, and where they now find themselves − one country one nation and almost certainly one more spectacular cricket menu to attend in numbers.
“I have been watching the pictures and videos of our fans all night and I am so proud of all of them. You made that victory (midweek T20) possible for the team. There will be 100 free tickets in Sha Allah FOR THE Saturday game as a sign of thank you. #FillUpHarare SportsClub,” wrote Raza who returned to intern-ational cricket for the OD1 series against Ireland on Wednesday.
Sikandar Raza
The all-rounder missed his side’s T20 series win over Ireland after being allowed to in order to fulfil franchise commitments, but is back in the set-up for the ODI series.
The 36-year-old became the first Zimbabwean to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for his perform-ances last August, and carried that fine form into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, where his displays earned him a spot in the ICC Team of the Tournament.
He is also one of four nominees – along with Babar Azam, Ben Stokes and Tim Southee – for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award.
Raza’s inclusion is a much-need boost after the news that all-rounder Sean Williams will miss the series with a broken finger.
Former skipper Chamunorwa Chibhabha, leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta and fit-again ex-England international Gary Ballance are also included in the Zimbabwe squad.
Ballance was capped 16 times in ODI cricket by England between 2013 and 2015, but has not played since and is now eligible to represent the country of his birth.
The three-match series is scheduled to end on Monday.
The series comes hot on the heels of a superb T20I series that saw Zimbabwe win a thrilling decider against Ireland last Sunday 2-1.
Zimbabwe Squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Gary Ballance, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Bradley Evans, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakazda, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza
