Zimbabwe’s captain and premier allrounder, Sikandar Raza, is set to join Northamptonshire for the 2024 Vitality Blast. Raza, 37, holds the fifth-best allrounder ranking in T20I cricket and has recently made history by scoring five consecutive half-centuries, becoming the first player in the format to do so. He has been nominated as the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year.
Raza has extensive experience in T20 cricket, with over 200 professional appearances including stints in the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League, and Lanka Premier League. However, this will mark his first appearance in England’s T20 competition.
Expressing his excitement for the new challenge, Raza stated, “I’m delighted to be coming to Northamptonshire. This will be a different challenge for me but I’ve loved playing cricket in England in the past. It’s always been a wish to play in the Vitality Blast so I’m looking forward to fulfilling that.”
Northamptonshire’s head coach, John Sadler, welcomed Raza’s signing, emphasizing his global performance and impact as a three-dimensional cricketer. Raza will join the squad ahead of the tournament and will be available for all 14 group stage matches.
“I would like to entertain the fans and put a smile on their face with as many wins as possible,” Raza expressed, setting his sights on securing a quarter-final spot and ultimately aiming to lift the trophy. He also looks forward to utilizing his experience to support the team and younger players.
