By Agencies
Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza has for the third year running been nominated for ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year Award.
The ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award celebrates exceptional talent in the shortest format.
Despite a difficult finish to the year, the veteran all-rounder continues to deliver for the Chevrons in his 39th year, and was instrumental in their unbeaten run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup sub-regional Africa Qualifier Group B, smashing 199 runs and picking up 10 wickets.
While Zimbabwe’s T20I side remains a work in progress, the African side managed to secure wins over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan under his leadership this year.
While it was in the sub-regional qualifier that Raza secured his maiden T20I hundred and five-wicket haul, his moment of the year came against recently crowned World Champions India.
His watchful 17 helped Zimbabwe reach 115/9 on a tricky track, but he truly turned the contest with the ball.
India’s stand-in captain Shubman Gill had held on even as wickets fell from the other end with a gritty 31, however, Raza broke through his defense in the 11th over to leave India reeling at 47/6. He got Ravi Bishnoi (9) soon after and also cleaned up Mukesh Kumar (0) to finish with 3/25 as his side secured a thrilling 13-run win.