3-mob.com 
Zimbabwe star batsman Sikandar Raza sat down for an exclusive interview with #3mobRadio on Wednesday, in a wide-ranging interview, the key focus of which was his future with the national team.
There has a been a copious amount of speculation around whether he will turn out for the Chevrons during the upcoming T20I series involving Australia and Pakistan at Harare Sports Club, beginning of July.
The interview took place at the same venue, at 9am where a relaxed Sikandar was preparing for training, while at the nets.
We started off with that fateful match against UAE:
As much as I said in the last interview that I am sleeping a lot better, I still see, how Zimbabwe could have qualified and how I could contributed more in the game and the speech was basically unprepared. It just came out of the heart.
On who was responsible for the side batting first, Raza added:
It is easy to sit after the game and criticise, like who made the batting order and who made the bowling order. I would go as far as saying, I was in favour of bowling first. UAE batted their full 50 overs without getting all out once.So we looked at all those stats. They lost 70% of their wickets to seamers… There was a pattern. These are numbers. These are not things you just dream up… I stand by my captain and coach.
On why he is now choosing to go for the Global T20 in Canada ahead of the tri-series, Raza was candid:
When I entered my name into the auction, the tri-series wasn’t confirmed. I entered into that league and when I got auctioned, the first thing I did was to ring the chairman [Tavengwa Mukhuhlani] and I was meant to be in the country on the 28th [of June] but my chairman advised to be in the country a lot sooner, so that we can plan forward and try see what is the best way going forward.
Raza says he has met the Convener of Selectors, Walter Chawaguta, cricket director Givemore Makoni and interim coach Lalchand Rajput as well as the chairman. He says all meetings in his opinion went very well and common ground was found.
We asked him about whether the issue of club versus country was wading itself into cricket:
Sometimes lack of planning of fixtures doesnt help us plan our lives. I wasn’t going to sit at home for six months and not play cricket. You mention club before country or country before club. It is not the case. I remain committed to Zimbabwe. I was entered into this auction way before the series confirmed. I had given my word and people who know me, know how much I value my words.
Raza says if he is not picked for the ODI series against Pakistan it will be an indication of where his future lies:
I am available for the ODIs and if the think tank decides to pick me, I will be available, otherwise I will go back to England… This is a difficult decision I have to make but I have to make it. And if not picked for the ODIs, I am pretty clear where my future stands with Zimbabwe. That message will be very clear.
And given that a No-Objection Certificate has still not been issued, if denied he he was very clear:
I will still go [to the Global T20] but it will mean I will terminate my contract with Zimbabwe Cricket… but I will still be available for selection and if they select that is fine. As long as they know I am still keen to play for Zimbabwe.
And is he giving Zimbabwe Cricket an ultimatum to pick him for the ODIs or else?
It isn’t an ultimatum. In any workplace, if you are not given any clue about the extension of your job, would you not start looking somewhere else? Cricketers have that right too and at the end of the month I am out of contract. So as a family man, do you think it is not within my rights to look for some other work?
And if a contract is offered?
Then that makes it different because Zimbabwe will be saying, we didn’t pick you for ODIs. But as long as there is some sort of communication but sometimes players are kept in such dark that we cannot really plan our lives.
Does he regret playing for Zimbabwe?
I live my life with lessons and no regrets. Zimbabwe has been the best thing that has happened to me in my professional career and I will forever be grateful.
Raza says he maintains a good relationship with the chairperson.
Listen to the full exclusive interview with 3-mob.com below:
Comments
Loading…