Shingai Matibiri, Sports Reporter
HARARE – Zimbabwe national cricket team all rounder Sikandar Raza is having a memorable year, with August being the climax so far after he was nominated along with two other extra ordinary all rounders for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2022.
Raza 36, has enjoyed a tremendous 2022 and the month of August was no different. Going head to head against Asian giants India and Bangladesh, Raza notched up three centuries in the month.
All three centuries came when Zimbabwe looked down and out before the 36-year-old came to the rescue, leading them to victory twice against Bangladesh and almost pulling off the impossible against India.
In the first ODI against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe were 62/3 chasing 304 for the win when Raza and Innocent Kaia stitched a massive 192-run stand for the fourth wicket.
He was the aggressor of the two and batted till the end, remaining unbeaten on 135 of 109 balls as Zimbabwe scripted a memorable win over the Tigers.
In the next match, the hosts were in dire straits yet again at 49/4 chasing 292 when he once again pulled the rescue act. This time, it was Regis Chakabva who kept him company.
Once again, Raza (117* off 127 balls) batted through till the end to guide Zimbabwe to the second win in a row as Zimbabwe took an unassailable lead in the series. He was also Zimbabwe’s star with the ball in hand and despite bowling the difficult overs in the death, ended up with figures of 3/56 in his 10 overs.
Raza almost pulled it off in the final ODI against India as well but unlike the previous occasions, found little support from the other end. Chasing 290, he was at the crease until the penultimate over. The 95-ball 115 went in vain as India held their nerve in the final stages to complete a whitewash.
New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner enjoyed a brilliant August 2022 both with the bat and ball in hand and played a crucial role in the Black Caps’ six wins out of eight in the month is also on the shortlist.
England’s Test captain Ben Stokes who played a crucial role in his side’s comeback in the ongoing series at home against South Africa is the other player on the list.
