Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza went on a rampage in the Zim Afro T10 2023 at Harare Sports Club. Bulawayo Braves captain Raza in a run chase of 135 went on a six-hitting spree against Harare Hurricanes to guide his team to a seven-wicket victory. In a high-scoring contest, Raza smashed as many as six sixes in his 21-ball 70.
Raza won the toss and opted to field first. Braves' bowlers were taken to the cleaners by Hurricanes openers Robin Uthappa and Evin Lewis. Lewis smashed Australia's Jack Prestwidge for four consecutive sixes in the second over. They crossed the 50-run mark off the 19th ball of the innings. Raza broke the partnership after taking a beating from Lewis. The Caribbean batter missed his half-century. He scored 49 runs from 19 deliveries including two fours and six sixes. At the time of his wicket, Hurricanes had 76/1 on the board from five overs.
In the next over, Australia's Patrick Dooley struck twice. Robin Uthappa and Mohammad Nabi got out off consecutive deliveries. Uthappa got bowled. He scored 32 runs from 15 balls including four fours and two sixes. Nabi got out for a golden duck. In the eighth over, Irfan Pathan took on Taskin Ahmed and hit him for three consecutive fours. Hurricanes managed to post 134/4 on the board.
Braves did not get off to an ideal start. Ben McDermott got run out for a single-digit score in the third over. Raza started off by taking on Chris Mpofu in the fourth over with a six and two fours. Kobe Herft picked up pace as well as Luke Jongwe conceded 27 runs from his over. In the eighth over, Herft lost his wicket to Nabi. The opener scored 41 runs from 23 balls including three fours and as many sixes. The two batters shared an 88-run partnership for the second wicket.
In the eighth over, Raza got to his half-century with a boundary. He took just 15 balls. In the penultimate over, Raza was in a hurry to finish off the game. Nandre Burger ended his stay at the crease. The Braves skipper scored 70 runs from 21 balls. When he got out, Braves needed just two runs to win from final over. Beau Webster hit a boundary to get his team over the line with five balls to spare.
This was Braves' second win of the tournament. They are placed third on the points table on the basis of better net run rate than Hurricanes.
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