In appreciation of his exceptional efforts in the previous year, Zimbabwe Cricket has decided to award all-rounder Sikandar Raza with a US$10,000 prize. This is in response to his nomination for the esteemed 2023 ICC Men’s T20 Cricketer of the Year award.
Sikandar Raza, who is in the running for a second straight year’s nomination, put on a great exhibition, scoring 515 runs at an average of 51.50 and peaking at 82*. In the Twenty20 International format, he also grabbed eight catches to showcase his fielding abilities and collected 17 wickets at an economy rate of 6.57.
Exceptional contenders are contending for the 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. On January 3, the ICC (International Cricket Council) revealed the initial shortlists for the ICC Awards 2023.
Mark Chapman of New Zealand, Alpesh Ramjani of Uganda, and Suryakumar Yadav, who is vying for the title for the second time in a row, are among the fierce competitors for Sikandar Raza crown. Uganda has made history by qualifying for the ICC T20 World Cup later this year, mostly because to Ramjani.
Interestingly, Sikandar Raza was on the verge of winning several prizes the previous year and is expecting better this time around.
He was nominated for three different awards: the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, and the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year. However, Babar Azam won both awards. Suryakumar Yadav won the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year title at the 2022 T20I Awards, and Ben Stokes of England won the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year title.
“Raza’s accomplishments during the 2023 season are acknowledged with this. We believed that he should have received appreciation from the corporation for his accomplishments and his efforts throughout the season. The Herald cited ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni as saying, “He’s led from the front, taken wickets, and scored runs, and I think it’s only fitting.”
I’m at a loss for words; this is not what I expected. My primary reason is, I believe, my debt to this country. I have everything I could ever want and more in this country—a house, fame, and love. The passion that you see in me is a result of my desire to repay them, but nothing I accomplish inside or outside of the cricket park will ever be sufficient. Nevertheless, I’m making every effort to give back to those who have welcomed me into their community,” Raza stated.
India
