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Sikandar Raza Stuns South Africa With Fighting Fifty; Enters Elite Zimbabwe Club

Akshita Patel

Sikandar Raza scored brillant 50 vs South Africa [Source: @ZimCricketv/X.com]Sikandar Raza scored brillant 50 vs South Africa [Source: @ZimCricketv/X.com]

Sikandar Raza once again proved why he is Zimbabwe’s biggest star in T20 cricket. In the opening match of the T20I Tri-Nation Series against South Africa, Raza scored a brilliant half-century to become only the 4th Zimbabwean to score fifty vs Proteas. 

In the first T20I of the Tri-Nation series, Zimbabwe batted first at Harare Sports Club and lost 3 wickets with just 55 runs on the board. In tough situations, skipper Raza saved the team from a humiliating collapse and scripted history in the process.

Sikandar Raza Leads Fightback For Zimbabwe vs South Africa

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza walked out to bat at no.4 and had a 66-run crucial partnership with Ryan Burl. He rotated the strike well and punished the loose deliveries, helping Zimbabwe recover from a shaky start. Raza was calm and hit a stunning half-century. In his 54 off 38 balls knock, the skipper hit 3 fours and 2 sixes with a 142.11 strike rate. 

Meanwhile, Raza has become only the 4th Zimbabwe batter to hit a half-century against South Africa in T20Is. 

Before Raza, only three other Zimbabwean batters had managed to score fifties against South Africa in T20Is, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, and Chamu Chibhabha. Raza now joins this elite list, adding another feather to his cap.

 Highest scores by a Zimbabwe batter vs South Africa in T20Is 

  • Hamilton Masakadza - 72 runs 
  • Chamu Chibhabha - 59 runs
  • Brendan Taylor - 59 runs
  • Sikandar Raza - 54* runs
  • Pete Moor - 44 runs

That being said, after Sikandar Raza’s fighting knock, Zimbabwe posted a respectable total of 141 runs on the board at the loss of 6 wickets.

The Tri-Nation series featured Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand. A total of 7 T20Is will be played in the span of 12 days, with the final scheduled on July 26 between the top 2 teams.