'I don't care who is the first or the second-best team in Asia' - Sikandar Raza eyes upsetting Pakistan to reach tri-series final
Raza's Zimbabwe faced a five-wicket loss against Pakistan in the first match of the ongoing tri-series.
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza was recently asked on whether Pakistan is the second-best team in Asia, and whether he would think of beating them as an upset or a normal thing. The question came ahead of Zimbabwe's upcoming clash in the ongoing Pakistan T20I tri-series 2025, where they will face Sri Lanka on Thursday, November 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Raza responded that he doesn't really bother himself into thinking which is the most-ranked team in the Asian continent. He also denied commenting on the query, citing that he is attending the press conference as the captain of his country, and his personal opinions regarding things outside their team are not invited for.
“All I would tell you since I'm in a national jersey, all I would tell you is that Zimbabwe is the second-best team in Africa. I do not care who is the first or the second-best team in Asia. I would address that when I'm not in national jersey. Right now, all my focus and attention is it's a press conference for a Zimbabwean captain and all the questions that I will, and all I should answer is about Zimbabwe. I personally don't care who is the first or the second or the third or the fourth or the fifth or the tenth,” Raza replied.
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Furthermore, Raza, a Sialkot-born, claimed that he only cares about challenging the best team in Africa, which is South Africa, and try to take Zimbabwe to the top-ranked side in their own continent. Meanwhile, on being asked whether Zimbabwe can reach the final by upsetting the opposition, Raza responded that he feels confident of the skills that the Chevrons have, and nothing would mean an upset to him.
“We are the second-best team in Africa and hoping to build on that and try to challenge the best team in Africa, which is South Africa, of course, as many times as we are given the opportunity. It might be an upset for you because I can read the room that maybe you people are not giving us too much of a chance in the final to get to the final. But to you guys, it will be an upset. To me, it wouldn't be. God willing, we'll get there,” Raza confidently said.
Check the video of Raza's press conference here
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99Speaking more about Zimbabwe's campaign in the ongoing series, the visitors lost their opening match of the series against the Men in Green, as the hosts reigned supreme by five wickets.
On a personal note, it was a satisfying outing for Raza, but the team lost in a game where they could have got the perfect head start to the competition. However, they will move on past the demons of the loss for their next against the Lankan Lions.
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