IND vs ZIM: Sikandar Raza States The Reason For Zimbabwe's Loss In The 3rd T20I

Zimbabwe's captain, Sikandar Raza, expressed deep disappointment following his team's 23-run loss to India in the third T20I held in Harare. The defeat came after the Men in Blue were given several opportunities to capitalize in their innings, allowing them to set a challenging target of 182 runs. Raza lamented his team's persistent struggles in the field throughout the series, citing missed chances that could have altered the outcome significantly. Highlighting key areas of concern, Raza pinpointed the 20 extra runs conceded by Zimbabwe, which ultimately proved costly in a closely contested match that ended with a 23-run margin. The experienced all-rounder also voiced dissatisfaction with the performance of the top-order batsmen, as Zimbabwe found themselves struggling at 19/3 early in their chase of 183 runs. Despite the setbacks, Raza conveyed unwavering support for the opening pair of Wessly Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani, expressing confidence in their ability to bounce back and contribute significantly with the bat.

Looking forward, Raza emphasized the importance of addressing fielding lapses and ensuring a stronger start from their batsmen in future matches. He acknowledged that with sharper fielding and improved batting performances, Zimbabwe has the potential to turn the tide in their favor against formidable opponents like India. Raza's faith in his team's capabilities remains steadfast, underscoring his commitment to rallying the Chevrons for better results in upcoming fixtures.

“I think it's the fielding again, we are proud of our fielding but the wheels came off today, we gave away 20 extra runs and we lost by 23 runs. We still have problems at the top but I have utmost faith in them that they will come good some time. We have tried 15 different partners (openers) in the last year and a half or so,” Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said in the post-match presentation.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza further expressed disappointment with the performance of senior players, including himself, following their defeat. The 38-year-old, who struggled with the bat, acknowledged that his own shortcomings added pressure on the team. Raza called upon other senior players to reflect on their mistakes and make necessary improvements going forward. Addressing concerns about the opening partnership, Raza emphasized the importance of giving Wessly Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani more opportunities despite recent challenges. He affirmed his belief that the duo has the potential to succeed and contribute significantly if given consistent opportunities to settle into their roles.

Looking ahead, Raza stressed the need for senior players to lead by example and for the team as a whole to learn from their recent setbacks. He remains optimistic about Zimbabwe's prospects, provided they address key areas such as senior player contributions and stability in the opening partnership.

“It's time that our players including myself take up the responsibility. The youngsters making mistakes is acceptable but the senior players need to step up. You cannot fix a problem by creating another problem, we have picked 3 openers for a reason. The openers that have been picked up should be given a run,” Raza stated.