Raza itching to get back to training
Brighton Zhawi
Zimbabwe cricket all-rounder Sikandar Raza is itching to get back to training a few days after winning the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title with Trinbago Knight Riders, the 34-year has shifted focus to national duty with Zimbabwe who are preparing for a tour to Pakistan next month.
Raza is in Dubai, awaiting some Covid-19 tests en-route back home where he is expected to arrive end of this week.
In an interview with ZTN Sport, Raza said,“I really do wish the Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan goes ahead so hopefully, I come back and go straight into the nets.
“By being part of TKR, what I have learned is if you have a solid culture outside the park,
performances on the park look after themselves.”
More so, for Raza it has reminded him of the benefits of putting in the hard work.
“If it doesn’t make me hungry on working harder on my game whether it’s batting, bowling or fielding or fitness then basically the whole CPL experience has gone down the drain, I haven’t learned much.
“So there will definitely be more hours spend to get better,” he said.
It was Raza’s maiden appearance in the tournament and he finished with seven wickets at an average of 15.71 helping his team go unbeaten in the tournament.
Raza rates his triumph with TKR very highly.
“It is incredible to be part of CPL let alone you know being part of a team that has done a clean sweep, that has never been done ever before in CPL history.
“It is incredibly a humbling feeling.”
“I rank this pretty high to be honest in my career because of how we managed to win this title by remaining unbeaten,” said Raza who shared part of TKR’s team culture during the tournament.
“For me the TKR success is down to the culture we have where I will give you a small example, Polly (Kieron Pollard) in our first meeting said for us to achieve this goal we are setting for ourselves we have to all leave our egos outside.
“By that he meant whatever the role that’s given to the boys, let’s get that job done and that’s how simple it was.”
The Zimbabwe all-rounder was humbled by the love and support he got from mates after winning the CPL.
“I had a lot of messages from everyone. Some of the messages came on WhatsApp, the social media messages are just the few that you have seen, there were a lot many more messages that came through WhatsApp.
“It was really nice to see all the Zimbabwean teammates of mine, franchise, national cricketers and everyone, every other cricketer basically sending their wishes before the game and many even after the game,” Raza said.