Watch: Sikandar Raza took four wickets and scored a 54-ball hundred in what was one of the best individual performances in ODI history during Zimbabwe’s clash against the Netherlands at the Harare Sports Club.
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Raza has been in great form in international cricket since last year, and has been at the forefront of most of Zimbabwe’s memorable victories of late. With the World Cup Qualifier being played in Zimbabwe and World Cup qualification in line, he stepped up again, leading the way with both bat and ball.
Raza did not have to bat when Zimbabwe won their first match, against Nepal. But when they conceded 315 against the Netherlands, Raza was the pick of their eight bowlers. He bowled his full quota of 10 overs for 4-55 – his best ODI figures – with three of those dismissals being bowled. These were his best figures in ODI cricket.
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As if that was not enough, he followed it up with a batting performance that will be remembered for a long time.
Zimbabwe started their chase steadily, with the first wicket partnership accounting for 80 runs in 13.3 overs. Sean Williams came out all guns blazing to slam 91 off 58 at No.3. However, it was Raza who stole the show.
Coming at No.5 with Zimbabwe needing 154 off 155 balls, Raza smashed it around from the word go to reach fifty off 36 balls. Off the next 18 balls he faced, he scored 52, ending the match with a huge six over long-off to get to his hundred off just 54 balls.
Raza’s innings consisted of six fours and eight sixes. Six of those sixes came in his last 13 deliveries as Zimbabwe made a mockery of the chase, finishing it in the 41st over.
Raza broke and created several records in the process. This was the fastest ODI hundred by a Zimbabwean batter and the joint-14th fastest overall. He also became the first Zimbabwean to score a hundred and take four wickets in an ODI, and the 15th overall.
Thanks to Raza, Zimbabwe now sit pretty at the top of the table in their group with two wins in two games and a net run rate of +1.126. Their next match will be their toughest in this group – against West Indies, on June 24.
Watch Sikandar Raza’s one-man show against Netherlands
Wickets:
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Sixes:
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