Sikandar Raza Breaks His Silence After Zimbabwe Fail to Qualify for 2019 World Cup

After Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup for the first time since 1983. They featured in the coveted tournament each and every time since making their entry in the gentleman’s game. All-rounder Sikandar Raza bagged Player of the tournament award for the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

The two-time champions Windies and resurgent Afghanistan became the two other teams – to join the top eight teams in the competition. England and Wales will host the mega event, next year. The cricketing carnival will commence from May 30, 2019.

Following the conclusion of the 2018 ICC Qualifiers, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) board sacked the services of the whole core group of coaching staffs and convener. It included Heath Streak, who was the coach of Zimbabwe.

However, The batting all-rounder Raza made himself unavailable for the international commitments due to pay dispute with the board. As many as five top-class players didn’t participate in the Twenty20 International Tri-Series and the bilateral series against Pakistan.

Raza had, however, had made himself available for the recently-concluded maiden Global T20 Canada League. The former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody mentored the batter.

During an interview with the ESPN Cricinfo, Raza said he has not only stopped enjoying his life not only cricket.

“I stopped enjoying life, never mind cricket,” ESPN Cricinfo quoted Raza as saying.

My mind was in shambles says, Raza 

“Basically my mind was in shambles. People don’t know what we went through when we didn’t qualify and how all of us were treated. Things are still pear-shaped, but at least I have got my mental toughness back. I am enjoying cricket and being with my family,” Raza remarked.

Sikandar Raza reiterated he won’t join the Zimbabwe team unless and until he doesn’t feel 100 percent mentally, physically and emotionally respectively.

“I told Tom [Moody] that I want to reignite the spark of playing and enjoying cricket again. The future of Raza is in the hands of Zimbabwe’s Cricket’s court. The players are totally out of contract,” he added.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me. I am out of my contract anyway. It was supposed to expire on July 31. I had to terminate my contract a month before, for not receiving a NOC. I am hoping there’s some form of communication come July 31,” Raza concluded.