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Sikandar Raza's leadership qualities

Zimbabwe Cricket Forum 19 posts 77 views

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ZCF OriginalVeteran

Opening post

There was a palpable leadership by Raza despite contributing mere 8 runs, despite off-field distractions of Prospers letter and despite injury to in form Elton. Thankfully, the reigns were handed off to Raza rather Hamilton so that we could see his talent. I think we need to give him more opportunities as Skipper.

Raza shakes Zimbabwe out of their funk (CricInfo)


"Brother, you say I led the side, I didn't," Raza insisted. "I'll be honest with you, I didn't. My job was made easier by ten other blokes who were on the park with me. Everybody wants to win. When you've got ten other guys trying to pull in one direction, and if you're one guy and you're low on energy, there is so much energy around you, and a positive attitude around you, that it's difficult to fall into a bad place. It was quite nice that everyone was buzzing.

"One man can't do anything. It was all eleven of us. It took all eleven of us to win the game. So as much as it might look like it was me, it wasn't. I'll tell you I was the last guy. It was my team that actually got the job done for me."

As the sun set, with the ground darkening and emptying, Raza walked around the outfield alone, stopping first to talk to a child sitting alone at deep midwicket. He walked on, lingering at Castle Corner, the rowdy epicentre of crowd support at this match, where 10 or so well-watered fans were still cheering the win. They took some pictures, an autograph or two and a chat. As he walked back towards the change room, still alone, he stopped to talk to anyone who wanted his time, shaking hands and thanking the fans for their support. Before he'd left the field, a member of the ground staff rushed on to give him a bear hug. Bob Marley's Zimbabwe rang out around the ground across the PA. The words to its verses could not have been more apt.


Full link:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v- ... 00847.html
Zim fanatic since 1987
Veteran
He's just an all round top bloke. This isn't even the country of his birth yet he shows more passion and energy on the field than any of the other guys.
Agree 100%. When you watch him in the field he is alert, full of energy, and looks like he enjoys his cricket. And he seems like decent, humble bloke. His path to Zimbabwe cricket may have been a bit unusual, but it's great to have him, and I hope he is part of the set up for a long time...
ZCF OriginalLegend
The man is a born leader. He should be made the T20 captain to relieve some pressure on Elton.

If he could just work on his batting a bit and not be too jumpy or go for the over excited shot, he would be a really good player. Sometimes his shots are a bit heedless and reckless.
ZCF Hall of Famer
f**k me dead guys, calm down.

He's had one 20/20 game doing the job, riding on the back of a Chamu onslaught and you'se make out he's the best thing since sliced bread.
ZCF Hall of Famer

ZIMDOGGY wrote:f**k me dead guys, calm down.

He's had one 20/20 game doing the job, riding on the back of a Chamu onslaught and you'se make out he's the best thing since sliced bread.


His energy in the field and thirst for competing is significant than his first up win as captain ......

This current team lacks leadership and none of them have any agro on the field, Zimbabwe is crying out for someone to take the lead and show the way .....
ZCF Hall of Famer
"He's neither back or white" as the song goes. C'mon Pro have a go about the Captain needing to be a black man. Justice would be ZC not making room for him anywhere. He'd have to resort to being a farm invader, which he would of course. He's a Mliswa in the making.
Veteran

jaybro wrote:

ZIMDOGGY wrote:f**k me dead guys, calm down.

He's had one 20/20 game doing the job, riding on the back of a Chamu onslaught and you'se make out he's the best thing since sliced bread.


His energy in the field and thirst for competing is significant than his first up win as captain ......

This current team lacks leadership and none of them have any agro on the field, Zimbabwe is crying out for someone to take the lead and show the way .....


I totally agree with Tha Dogg. 145 is not a lot at all, BUT I was arguing that we won because of two good catches and the run outs. Its exceptional feilding like that, that turns a game around and wins the game. Mangongo won his first series as coach, Zim ALWAYS has these one offs. If Waller had captained that game against AUS that we won we would be hearing that he is a good captain wat wat wat. Chill guys its only 20 overs! He captained for only 20 overs!!! And if Zim take off Elton cos of that 20 overs then we really are in a mess cos Raza will also get the chop by the end of this year. And I dare say he is a bit of a sulk! His body langauge after being dismissed from asoft dismissal says it all for me, but again its still too early to conclude.
ZCF Hall of Famer
The ZCF crew have a habit of jumping the gun and bandwagon riding early.

Its borne out of scant success and reason to cheer, meaning us members cling to any reason for hope.

However,

it ensures the disappointment is threefold when its inevitably proven to be a false dawn.

Just looking out for you guys, and girls (have we ever had a female member here?).
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

ZIMDOGGY wrote:Just looking out for you guys, and girls (have we ever had a female member here?).


Anusha Gamage was possibly a female.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
ZCF Hall of Famer
It's been said before on this forum that Raza could be a good captain, I believe the reason for the victory on Sunday was the fact we batted first .....

I'm a fan of Raza and think he would make a good captain for the reasons I stated above not because we won on Sunday ....
Veteran

ZIMDOGGY wrote:
Just looking out for you guys, and girls (have we ever had a female member here?).


When the race card is all worn out and tattered next up will be the Gender Equality / Gender Equity card.
ZCF Hall of Famer
I get the strong feeling the Zimbabwean people have awoken to, and had enough of the race card being abused.

Therefore watch out forProsper geting a wig and call himself Caitlin Utseya in search of a gig.
ZCF OriginalVeteran
A below par score of 145 in T20 and you guys call it a Chibhabha onslaught? Great! The usual Pro over and initial overs leaked runs so it came on to the captain to have smart changes. In the last ODI, Cremer was given ball only in the 37th over. Here, Raza brought him early and he had twin strikes. Even after those smart runouts and great fielding it was his confidence on himself that he brought himself on in the crucial 17th over. Look at the body language of of our past skipper Utseya and compare it with that of Raza.
Zim fanatic since 1987
ZCF OriginalLegend

Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic) wrote:A below par score of 145 in T20 and you guys call it a Chibhabha onslaught? Great! The usual Pro over and initial overs leaked runs so it came on to the captain to have smart changes. In the last ODI, Cremer was given ball only in the 37th over. Here, Raza brought him early and he had twin strikes. Even after those smart runouts and great fielding it was his confidence on himself that he brought himself on in the crucial 17th over. Look at the body language of of our past skipper Utseya and compare it with that of Raza.


This. Prosper was never a leader. We all know that. Elton is good, but he hides when the going gets tough. You need a captain who is active. Talks, gets his troops moving and doing things. A captain who believes in his side and does not hide away in the field or look lost or bereft of ideas.
ZCF Hall of Famer
I'd still rate Williams as our best captain option followed by Raza ......
ZCF Hall of Famer
I read a facebook post from a random lower league player who mentioned that Sikander captained them to a few premierships and was excellent.

If true, he has a real case!
Veteran

ZIMDOGGY wrote:Therefore watch out forProsper geting a wig and call himself Caitlin Utseya in search of a gig.


THIS... Pro will go to any lengths and if he pulls the Caitlin card he would be vying for Zimbabwe women's cricket team... I can't!

@DrSitu - These performances are always there for anyone who is captain even if I was captain. Zim always manages to pull one game out of the hat. Aus last year, after that game they also said we are tired of losing. Then what? I don't question Raza's energy enthusiasm and passion. I just dont agree that it was down to captaincy. But such is cricket where there can be so many game changers in a few overs a bowling change, a dropped catch, a few dot balls etc. Will see, I say why not take over captaincy of a franchise and see how that goes.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
I agree with Bayhaus and the Dogg, good to see some energy but we need to see how Raza goes with more opportunities.
The Third Innings

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