Raza says pitch moisture hampered early innings, hopes for better wicket next match

Harare – Following a 125‑for‑7 defeat to India in the first T20 of the series, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza delivered a candid assessment of the day's playing conditions. “The early moisture was a major hurdle for our batsmen,” he explained, emphasizing that the pitch did not meet the expected standards for an international T20.

The team’s decision to bat after losing the toss proved costly. Four wickets fell within the first ten overs, leaving the side at 32 for 4. Nevertheless, a resilient partnership between Wesly Madhavveere (39) and Tadivnashé Marumani (27 not out) steadied the innings, bringing the total to 125/7.

Raza compared the wetness to recent matches against Bangladesh, where the moisture persisted throughout the game. “In Bangladesh the pitch stayed damp for the whole day. Here the dampness seemed confined to roughly the first eight to twelve overs, after which the wicket improved greatly.” He voiced optimism that the next venue will offer a more balanced surface, minimizing the effect of a toss loss.

The captain concluded on a hopeful note, applauding the middle order’s performance and urging the rest of the squad to build on that foundation. “If we can replicate or improve on this effort, we’ll be in a stronger position regardless of the toss outcome.”