Raza smashes Singapore and displays Zimbabwe's new template

A swashbuckling knock of 87 runs off just 40 balls by Sikandar Raza ensured that Zimbabwe got to a mammoth total of 236-5 in their 20 overs during their 2022 Twenty20 World Cup qualifier match against Singapore.

Held in Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), the hosts overpowered Singapore in every respect. Skipper Craig Ervine provided an explosive start with 34 runs off just 16 balls before passing on the baton of attacking to Sean Williams, who added 53 runs off just 35 balls. Coming in to bat subsequently at number 5, Raza showed no signs of mercy to the Singaporean bowlers as he smashed 8 fours and 5 sixes, scoring at a strike rate of about 218. 

The considerably lesser experienced Singapore side never looked like one that could give any bit of contest to their opponents and managed a meagre 125-7, thanks to Janak Prakash and Aryaman Sunil, who came in at number 6 and 7 respectively and added a total of 57 runs to the team score.

Veteran bowlers Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani displayed their skills with the ball, scalping a total of 5 wickets and giving away only a total of 35 runs jointly in their 8 overs, strengthening Zimbabwe's pursuit of making a 6th World Cup Appearance.  

Zimbabwe's first-ever Test captain and present coach, David Houghton, had pushed for a more exciting, positive and fearless brand of cricket from the side following their humiliating white ball series losses of 3-0 to Afghanistan in both ODIs and T20Is.

One of the most experienced players in the team, Sikandar Raza, credited coach Houghton for their focused and aggressive approach. He said, 

"This was a great start. The coach has emphasised the need to not only start the tournament well but finish it equally well. Our goal is to qualify for Australia."

"We want the other seven teams to know that we are determined to secure one of the two qualifying places on offer, and I think we did that really well."

"The win over Singapore is history now. The focus of my teammates and I has already shifted to the match against Jersey tomorrow."

Among other qualifying fixtures, the United States defeated Jersey by 8 wickets, chasing down the target of 155 by scoring 159-2 in just 18.1 overs. 

Asa Tribe of Jersey played a superb knock of 73 runs off 45 balls, an innings that included just one four and 7 sixes, but couldn't get much support apart from finisher Benjamin Ward, who made a quickfire 38 off 22 balls.

However, United States opening batter Steven Taylor stole the show as he cracked a ton (101 off 55 balls) to single-handedly hand a comfortable win to his team.

If Zimbabwe wins their next match against Jersey and USA wins their next against Singapore, the two will fight it out on Thursday for the first spot on the table. Both the teams will qualify anyway if they win their next matches.

On the other hand, Uganda beat Hong Kong in a low-scoring thriller, chasing down the target of 88 runs with three balls remaining and just two wickets in hand. 

If the Netherlands goes on to beat Hong Kong and Uganda beats PNG, they both will qualify for the semi-finals, and the ultimate finalists will join the T20 World Cup in Australia.