Raza to play for Rangpur Riders in Bangladesh Premier League

Star all-rounder Sikandar Raza has expressed his delight after being signed up by the Rangpur Riders franchise for the 2023 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

The in-form Zimbabwe international is among the five foreign cricketers signed by the Riders for the upcoming edition of the T20 tournament.

The other players are Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Pathum Nissanka and Shoaib Malik.

The Riders have also roped in Bangladesh national wicketkeeper, Nurul Hasan Sohan.

The official social media platforms of the Rangpur Riders uploaded a video where Raza showed his joy after being picked by the Riders.

@SRazaB24 has a special message for the RR family. 💙

The all-rounder can’t wait to get started. 🤩#Joyerlorai #Rangpurriders #SikandarRaza #BPL2023 pic.twitter.com/sWCNGBQG25

— Rangpur Riders (@RangpurRider) November 18, 2022

“Hi guys, Sikandar Raza here. I’m incredibly humbled and delighted to announce that I am part of the Bangladesh Premier League 2023 season. I cannot wait to join the Rangpur Riders family guys. Can’t wait to see you. Can’t wait to join you. It’s going to be really exciting. See you soon. And that’s Charlie by the way,” Raza was quoted as saying in the video.

The Pakistan-born Zimbabwe cricket team star has prior experience of taking part in the BPL, having played for the Khulna Tigers and Chittagong Vikings.

Raza was in brilliant form in the T20 World Cup 2022, although Zimbabwe failed to advance to the semis of the tournament. In eight matches, he scored 219 runs and picked up 10 wickets.

Moreover, he won the Player of the Match award as many as three times. One of his Player of the Match awards came against eventual losing finalists Pakistan, where Zimbabwe won by one run. Raza picked up three wickets for 25 runs in that game.

Raza also broke the former Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s record of most T20I Player of the Match awards in a calendar year.

Meanwhile, Raza is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Abu Dhabi T10 League which will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium from November 23 to December 4.

The 36-year-old star will play for the Chennai Braves, a team owned by the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the Indian Premier League.

Time to raise the flag in sha Allah @T10League Abudhabi
See you soon my new #ChennaiBraves family.
As always , requesting for prayers .#t10 #Cricket #cricketTwitter #visitzimbabwe #zimbabwe #Alhamdulillah pic.twitter.com/xXkX0Uk0JU

— Sikandar Raza (@SRazaB24) November 17, 2022