Sikandar Raza smashed his highest score in the shortest format and set up a comprehensive 31-run victory for Zimbabwe in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against Ireland on Monday, October 17.
With his knock of 48-ball 82, Raza created history by registering the highest-ever score by a Zimbabwe batter in a T20 World Cup game. Previously, the record was held by former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor who scored 60 off 45 bal🌼ls against Australia at the 2007 T20 World Cup. In that match, Zimbabwe defeated Australia by 5 wickets which was a big upset.
The hero oജf Zimbabwe, What a𒁃 player, he is the man for any moment, Sikandar Raza.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Zimbabwe, playing in their first T20 World Cup game after 2016, made a winning comeback to the multi-team ICC event. After Raza guided Zimbabwe to a competitive 174/7 on the board, Blessing Muzarabani (3-24), Tendai Chatara (2-22) and Richard Ngarava (2-22) bowled beautifully in their respective four overs to ♔restricꦿt the Irish side on 143/9.
Well done and the bowlers, great start to the
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86)
Top knock & excellent bowlꦬing performance …. Go 🇿🇼
— Alan Butcher (@abutch58)
“We are ecstatic. To put up a performance like that first game, it shows that we do belong here,” an elated Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine said in the post-match presentation.
“It’s a pity that it has been a long way since we have played a World Cup,” he added.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 174/8 in 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 84, Luke Jongwe 20; Joshua Little 3-24) beat Ireland 143/9 in 20 overs (Curtis Campher 27, George Dockrell 24, Gareth Delany 24; Blessing Muzarabani 3-23, Richard Ngarava 2-22, Tendai Chatara 2-22) by 31 runs.
