Raza challenges senior players

WITH Zimbabwe now trailing the five match series against India 1-2, Chevrons skipper Sikandar Raza has called on the senior players in the team to raise their hands and show leadership to the young players in the team.

Sports Reporter

Zimbabwe will look to level the series tomorrow when they face the T20 World Champions in the fourth T20I.

A win for the Chevrons will see the five match series going to the wire on Sunday while a defeat for the hosts will see them lose the series.

With all to play in tomorrow’s match, Chevrons captain Raza has challenged the senior players to raise their hands and take responsibility.

“We are trying to do everything. It is time we players, including me, take the responsibility.

“I can accept some mistakes from the young side but the seniors need to step up,” said Raza.

This followed their second series defeat on Wednesday, in which the Chevrons had three dropped catches and numerous misfields.

It is a thing that has left Zimbabwe captain Raza unfazed, as he admitted that fielding is what made the difference in their 23 run defeat against India on Wednesday.

“Think it is the fielding again.

“We are very proud of it but the wheels are coming off again and gave away 20 extra runs,” he said.

Raza also aired his concerns with the top order batting which scored 60 runs in 10 overs for the loss of five wickets.

It was through the sixth wicket partnership between Dion Myers and Clive Madande which contributed 77 runs that gave Zimbabwe innings some life.

Zimbabwe had three dropped catches and numerous midfields which Raza feels could have been avoided.

“There is a lot of cricket going in the country. We are trying to do everything. It is time we (senior) players including me take the responsibility,” said Raza.

As Zimbabwe looks to level the series on Saturday and take it to the wire for the final day, India are determined to end the series tomorrow.

“The way Zimbabwe batters played, did put pressure on us. They (Myers and Madande) did put a lot of pressure on us. We wanted to execute everything in our plans.

“Hopefully, we can explore Zimbabwe. We want to finish the series on Saturday,” said Sundar.