Dubai 12 Sep : Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza has made history by becoming the first Zimbabwe player to be awarded the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.Raza defeated New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner and England Test captain Ben Stokes to claim the monthly award for August, with the 36-year-old scoring three ODI centuries within the month in itself. “I’m extremely humbled and honored to have been awarded the player of the month award from the ICC and even more humble that I’m the only Zimbabwean to ever win this award,” said Raza.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who was in the changing room with me in the last three or four months -which goes to the technical team as well as to players.
Without you guys , this wouldn’t have been possible.
“I want to take this chance to express my gratitude to all the fans in Zimbabwe and across the world for your prayers and thank you for your wishes.they were well-received and I’m forever grateful.” he said.
Raza’s three centuries during the month were fought against world-class opponents, with the right-hander’s unbeaten 135 against Bangladesh at the beginning of the month being perhaps the most impressive of the group.
Zimbabwe were in trouble at 62/3 , chasing 300 to win.Raza and teammate Innocent Kaia put together a massive 192-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Raza was the more aggressive of the two batsmen and batted all the way to the final ball, never losing in only 110 balls, as Zimbabwe scored a memorable win against the Tigers.
In the following game the hosts were in the same situation at 49/4, chasing 292 when Raza once more was able to pull off the rescue act.This time it was Regis Chakabva who kept him company.
Another time, Raza (117 not out off 127 balls) batted right up until the final ball to lead his team to their second victory in two games as Zimbabwe established an unbeatable advantage in the series.
He was Zimbabwe’s best with the ball.
Despite bowling difficult overs in the final innings end, he came out with remarkable figures of 356 from the 10 balls he bowled.
Raza nearly got it done in the final ODI in India also, however, unlike previous occasions He was not supported by the other side.
He was chasing the 290 mark, he was at the edge until the final over.The 95-ball 115 shot went in the air as India stood firm in the last stages of play to finish the whitewash.
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