By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has admitted he is “letting the team down” with the bat after India’s emphatic 90-run victory in the second Twenty20 international secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 129 while chasing 220 at Harare Sports Club on Saturday, leaving the hosts searching for answers after a second successive heavy defeat.
Raza’s own lean run with the bat has mirrored Zimbabwe’s struggles.
The all-rounder has managed scores of four and nought against India after falling for three in the T20 series decider against Bangladesh, and accepted responsibility for his lack of contribution.
“I think I, as captain leading the team, have been letting the team down with my bat,” Raza said after the match.
Zimbabwe’s openers made an encouraging start to the chase, but the innings quickly unravelled as wickets fell at regular intervals.
“We were going to go for it anyway, and if you look at our openers as well, I think they gave us that sort of a start we needed,” Raza said.
“Unfortunately, I think it all comes down to sometimes inexperience, sometimes the shot selection, where we’re letting ourselves down.”
While acknowledging the batting unit’s collective shortcomings, Raza said he must set the standard as captain.
“But the onus is on me to try and get it right because my team needs my runs and bowling, and unfortunately it hasn’t been the case in the past two T20 games,” he said.
“I’ll try my best to turn it around because the team could do really well with my runs.”
Zimbabwe’s batting has struggled throughout the last three T20 internationals, posting totals of 143 and 126 batting first before being dismissed for 129 in pursuit of India’s imposing target on Saturday.
The hosts will now look to salvage some pride in Sunday’s final match of the series and avoid a 3-0 clean sweep against the reigning T20 World Cup champions.