Zimbabwe’s T20 captain, Sikandar Raza, has emphasized the significant role that franchise cricket plays in the development of players from lower-ranked nations. With limited opportunities to compete against top-tier teams, Raza believes that participating in various franchise leagues has allowed players like him to enhance their skills and gain invaluable experience by interacting with elite cricketers from around the world.
The Challenges Faced by Zimbabwean Cricket
Despite being a full ICC member since 1992, Zimbabwe has struggled to maintain its status in international cricket. Once a regular participant in World Cups, the team has not qualified for the last two editions of the 50-over tournament. Additionally, their suspension from ICC events due to government interference in the cricket administration prevented them from competing in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
However, recent performances suggest a resurgence, with Raza noting that their improvement aligns with increased participation in franchise leagues globally, including their own Zim Afro T10 league. “We don’t get a lot of chances to play against some of those higher-ranked nations as much. So our development, our growth, is pretty much within ourselves,” Raza explained. His experience playing in over ten countries has given him insight into how these leagues can elevate players’ confidence and skills.
Learning from Elite Cricketers
Raza highlighted that exposure to international stars through franchise cricket offers a unique learning opportunity for players from lower-ranked nations. “The overseas cricketers, the legends of the game that we get to spend time with and learn from—ask them questions and try to get a better understanding of the game—has been invaluable,” he said. This interaction fosters a deeper appreciation for the game and helps players refine their techniques.
He firmly believes that franchise cricket has brought international cricket closer together, improving the skill levels of players from countries like Zimbabwe. “The skill level of the lower-ranked nations is a lot better because of franchise cricket,” Raza stated, emphasizing how these experiences contribute to overall player development.
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Despite these advancements, Raza expressed concerns regarding the limited pool of talented cricketers in Zimbabwe. “In a population of around 14 million people, there are hardly 2,000 actively playing cricketers,” he noted. This scarcity poses challenges for the national team as they strive to compete at higher levels consistently. However, Raza remains optimistic about Zimbabwe’s potential, stating that even with a small player pool, they have shown glimpses of brilliance on the field.
The Importance of Test Cricket
While Raza currently leads the Joburg Bangla Tigers in the Zim Afro T10 league, he maintains that Test cricket remains the ultimate test for any player. He is particularly excited about Zimbabwe’s upcoming one-off Test match in England next year—their first since 2003. Raza praised the England Cricket Board (ECB) for its decision to pay touring fees, urging other top nations to follow suit.
“Thanks to ECB for taking that step forward because if the top nations can do that, then that would allow Zimbabwe to play a lot more Test matches,” he remarked. He believes that real growth as a cricketer occurs through participation in Test matches, which provide invaluable experience and challenge players at the highest level.
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