By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza believes his side will emerge stronger from their 3-0 T20I series defeat to India, insisting that regular matches against the world’s leading teams are essential if the Chevrons are to close the gap on international cricket’s elite.
India completed a clean sweep with a 35-run victory in the third and final T20I at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
Chasing 193, Zimbabwe finished on 157-7 despite an unbeaten half-century from Ryan Burl.
Although disappointed by the result, Raza said the experience of facing the reigning T20 world champions would prove invaluable as Zimbabwe continue their rebuilding process.
“I think, firstly, well done to Zimbabwe Cricket for hosting these fixtures because if you do not play against the top nations in the world as a country, we can’t grow,” Raza said after the match.
“And I think world cricket is much better when all the countries are playing good cricket. So the learnings from this series will certainly help us to bridge that gap between the top nations and the slightly lower-ranked nations because I feel like cricket is a lot more entertaining when everybody is playing really well.”
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Raza pointed to several encouraging individual performances, highlighting the development of some of Zimbabwe’s younger players.
Fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri continued his promising start to international cricket, while Tadiwanashe Marumani adapted well to a new middle-order role and Wessly Madhevere produced useful contributions with the bat.
“For us, the biggest learning is the experience that we have had,” Raza said.
“Nyamhuri has been certainly a great addition to the side as well. Marumani taking on the number six and seven role. Madhevere has had some decent runs. So there’s a lot of good things that I can think of. So, very happy.”
Raza also spoke of the cultural shift Zimbabwe are trying to build within the squad, saying the team is focused on developing the intensity and mentality needed to compete consistently against the world’s best.
“The journey started long ago. We wanted to change a few things in the change room. We wanted to be there for each other’s success. We wanted to be there for each other’s failures,” he said.
“We wanted to put our heart on our sleeves. We wanted to die for every ball. We wanted to bowl every ball with intent and bat every ball with intent.
“Along the way, especially this new cycle, we want to change a few things because we feel like we have to match the intensity of world cricket.
“And along the way, we will have some bad games and I’m very okay with that. But one thing I do know, once the lessons, once the experience we have had match the standard of world cricket, once Zimbabwe come out, we will flourish.”
The all-rounder endured a difficult series personally, failing to make a significant contribution with the bat and registering a first-ball duck in the final match.
Looking ahead to Zimbabwe’s upcoming T20 tri-series in Namibia, Raza admitted he must lead by example but backed himself to rediscover his form.
“Certainly try and buy a run for myself. That will be the first thing I look at,” he joked.
“The team has held themselves really well without my contributions. But as a leader, I know where I falter and what I need to do.
“I still need to be leading this team from the front with everything that I do. But very happy how the team has gone about their business without me scoring runs.
“Hopefully, when I start contributing, I’ll add a lot more to the team’s success. And I’m pretty sure those runs are around the corner.”