Sikandar Raza humbled to turn out to be first Zimbabwean to ever win ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for August

Sikandar Raza grew to become the primary participant from Zimbabwe to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for the month of August. He hit three ODI a whole lot in the course of the month, with two coming towards Bangladesh and one towards India.

Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza hit three a whole lot in August. (Credits: Reuters)

HIGHLIGHTSSikandar Raza scored two a whole lot towards Bangladesh and one towards IndiaRaza stated he was honoured to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month awardSikandar Raza thanked his followers in Zimbabwe and abroad for supporting him

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza scripted historical past, turning into the primary participant from his nation to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for August.

Sikandar Raza defeated England star all-rounder Ben Stokes and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner to assert the honours along with his three ODI centuries in the course of the month.

“I’m incredibly humbled and honoured to have won the player of the month award from the ICC more humbling that I’m the first Zimbabwean to ever win such an award,” Raza advised the ICC.

“I would like to thank everybody who has been in the changeroom with me over the past three to four months that goes out to the technical staff and to the players. Without you guys this would not have been possible.

“Lastly, I wish to take this chance to thank all of the followers in Zimbabwe and abroad for all of your prayers, for all of your needs…they have been nicely acquired and I’m eternally grateful.”

The 36-year-old Raza’s first hundred within the month of August got here towards Bangladesh. The right-hander performed an unbeaten knock of 135 in the beginning of the month. He got here in at a time when Zimbabwe have been in bother at 62/3 whereas chasing 304.

Raza and his teammate Innocent Kaia stitched a vital 192-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Raza, the extra aggressive among the many two, batted until the top, scoring 135 off 109 balls as Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets within the first ODI.

Raza carried his type within the subsequent match along with his 117 not out off 127 balls, which helped Zimbabwe safe the three-match ODI sequence towards Bangladesh earlier than the sequence resulted in 2-1.

The veteran all-rounder Raza nearly pulled it off for Zimbabwe within the third and ultimate ODI match towards India.

But not like the 2 video games towards Bangladesh, he did not get help from the opposite finish. With 15 runs wanted, Raza departed for 115 runs within the penultimate over. Zimbabwe fell quick by 13 runs and India accomplished the clear sweep 3-0.

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