T20 World Cup 2022: Sikandar Raza leads charge as Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 31 runs

T20 World Cup 2022: The Zimbabwe cricket team on Monday outclassed the Irish side in the round 1 match at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Led by Sikandar Raza with the bat, Zimbabwe emerged victorious in the second match of the day by 31 runs. With this win, Zimbabwe have opened their account in the points table of Group B and are in the second spot. 

For his brilliant knock and a wicket, Sikandar Raza has been awarded the man of the match award. "We have not come here because we are happy to represent Zimbabwe. The goal was to get into the Super 12 stage. To have this win is certainly humbling, exciting and happy," Raza said after the match.

After being asked to bat, Zimbabwe were off to a shaky start. Openers Regis Chakabva and Craig Ervine and Madhevere departed early. Sikandar Raza held one end up while the other batters could not stay longer than Zimbabwe could have liked. Raza played a brilliant knock and powered his side to a good total of 174. For Ireland, Joshua Little was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets in his 4 overs. 

Ireland had a big task. The tournament is witnessing matches where chasing is not being easy. However, they could not bring themselves in the chase as they kept losing wickets regularly. Their top order failed and the middle order could not last long but they somehow managed to mitigate the loss margin. In the end, the Irish side bundled out for 143. Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava were the pick of the bowlers with 3 and 2 wickets respectively. For his match-winning contribution with the bat and a wicket later, Raza has been adjudged as the player of the match.

Zimbabwe Playing XI:
Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

Ireland Playing XI:
Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Littl