Sikandar Raza Takes Responsibility After Heavy Defeat

After the second T20I against India ended in a 90‑run drubbing, Zimbabwe’s skipper Sikandar Raza didn’t shy away from the hard truth – his bat let the side down. The 32‑year‑old said he’s been in a slump, managing three single‑digit scores in a row, and that it’s time to sort himself out.

Raza’s numbers speak for themselves: a three against Bangladesh, then a four and a duck in the first two games versus India. “Our openers gave us a decent start, but too often inexperience and poor shot selection bite us back,” he told reporters, adding that as captain he feels an extra weight of responsibility.

He didn’t just point fingers at the youngsters; he took the blame himself. “I, as a captain leading the team, have been letting the team down with my bat,” Raza said, a hint of frustration in his voice. He stressed that both his runs and his medium‑pace bowling are needed if Zimbabwe hopes to stay competitive.

Looking ahead, Raza promised to put in the work and deliver when it matters most. “The onus is on me to get it right because my team needs my runs and my bowling. I’ll try my best to turn it around,” he affirmed, hoping to spark a comeback in the final T20I in Harare on Sunday.

Zimbabwe’s batting woes have been evident – 143, 126 and a 129‑run chase that fell short. The third match will be a chance to avoid a 3‑0 series sweep, and Raza is determined to be the catalyst for that change.