Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup Super 8 dreams took a severe hit with a 107-run thrashing by West Indies at Wankhede Stadium. After dominating their initial group games in Sri Lanka, the Chevrons had to relocate to India mid-tournament. Captain Sikandar Raza, however, brushes aside any venue-related excuses, prioritizing growth over gripes.
Speaking candidly after the match, Raza declared, ‘I’m not one to dwell on venue or country switches. That mindset blocks learning. What Zimbabwe and I need is to take positives from this defeat. Making excuses won’t cut it. Progress demands top cricket anywhere—Sri Lanka or India. I’m not perturbed by the change; the real focus is our match takeaways.’
On the tricky Wankhede pitch, he added insightfully, ‘We expected a batting paradise, but it gripped and turned, slipping from our grasp. A goldmine of experience nonetheless. Our young bowlers learned to tackle slow tracks and blueprint strategies for explosive batsmen who smack it long and hard. Come another small-venue showdown with WI power, these lessons will be our edge.’
Chasing 255, Raza shared a tactical glimpse. ‘Tony Munyonga and I eyed the last seven overs at 18 an over—feasible on this field where well-timed shots soar. We cruised at 12-13 without strain until Motie’s wizardry turned the tide. Yet, with set batsmen here, hope lingers; death overs can explode with runs.’
Raza’s defiance persists. ‘Loss or not, Zimbabwe plays to win and command respect. Facing India? Same fire. With scars from defeats, both sides hunger for redemption. We’ll absorb today’s wisdom, adapt to Chennai’s nuances, elevate our game, and let results speak.’
As Super 8 intensifies, Raza’s focus on resilience could spark Zimbabwe’s revival.