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[Saba Sports News] Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza is set to receive a reward of US$10,000 from Zimbabwe Cricket in recognition of his outstanding performances in the previous year. This comes after his nomination for the prestigious ICC Men’s T20 Cricketer of the Year 2023.
Raza, nominated for the second consecutive year, had a remarkable year, scoring 515 runs with a highest score of 82* at an average of 51.50. He also took 17 wickets with an economy rate of 6.57 and showcased his fielding skills with eight catches in T20I cricket.
The ICC (International Cricket Council) recently released the initial shortlists for the ICC Awards 2023, which includes candidates for Men’s and Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year Awards, as well as Emerging Men’s and Women’s Cricketer of the Year Awards.
Raza faces tough competition from contenders like Suryakumar Yadav, who is aiming for his second consecutive prize, along with New Zealand’s Mark Chapman and Uganda’s Alpesh Ramjani. Ramjani played a crucial role in Uganda’s historic qualification for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
Raza narrowly missed out on multiple awards last year, including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, and he is hopeful for a different outcome this time.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni praised Raza’s achievements, stating, “This is in recognition of Raza’s achievements in the 2023 season. We thought with his achievements and what he has done throughout the season, he deserved recognition from the company.”
Raza expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m just speechless; I wasn’t expecting this… I owe this country a lot and I think that is my biggest motivation. This country has given me a home, fame, love, everything I could possibly wish and ask for. So the fire that you see in me is because I want to return that.