Sikandar Raza became the first Zimbabwean male cricketer to take a hat-trick in T20 International cricket. 37-year-old Raza created history on Monday by taking a hat-trick against Rwanda in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier 2023. This match was played at the Wanderers Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Sikandar Raza took three wickets for 3 runs in a spell of 2.4 overs against Rwanda. The Zimbabwean off-spinner completed a hat-trick by dismissing Mohammed Nadir, Jappy Bimenyimana and Emily Rukiriza. With the help of Sikandar Raza's spell, Zimbabwe defended the target of 215 runs and bowled out Rwanda for 71 runs in 18.4 overs.
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Sikandar Raza opened for Zimbabwe against Rwanda and scored a stormy half-century. The right-handed batsman scored 58 runs in just 36 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes. Raza also made a 99-run partnership for the first wicket with Tadivanashe Marumani. With the win over Rwanda, Zimbabwe's team is at fourth place in the points table with four points. Zimbabwe's next match will be against Nigeria on Wednesday.
Sikandar Raza showed his brilliant game against Rwanda and he had received great news from IPL franchise Punjab Kings just a day before. Punjab Kings retained Sikandar Raza for IPL 2024. Punjab Kings had secured the services of Sikandar Raza for Rs 50 lakh and have now retained him.
By the way, before Sikandar Raza, two Zimbabwean women cricketers have done the feat of taking a hat-trick in T20 International cricket. Nomwelu Sibanda and Audrey Mazavishaya had done the feat of taking hat-tricks in T20 International cricket before Raza.
Sibanda became the first cricketer of her country to take a hat-trick. He took a hat-trick against Namibia in April 2022. Whereas, Majvishaya took a hat-trick against Thailand in April 2023.
