Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza to Join Northamptonshire for 2024 T20 Blast

Zimbabwe‘s captain and premier allrounder, Sikandar Raza, has agreed to join Northamptonshire for the 2024 T20 Blast, marking his debut appearance in England‘s T20 competition. Raza, currently ranked as the fifth-best allrounder in T20I cricket, is renowned for his recent record-breaking feat of scoring five consecutive half-centuries. The 37-year-old has an extensive T20 career, including appearances in the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League, and Lanka Premier League.

Raza expressed his delight at the opportunity, stating, ‘I’ve loved playing cricket in England in the past, and it’s always been a wish to play in the Vitality Blast, so I’m looking forward to fulfilling that.’ He added that his aim is to entertain the fans and secure as many wins as possible, ultimately helping Northamptonshire secure a quarter-final spot and potentially lift the trophy.

Northamptonshire’s head coach, John Sadler, expressed his excitement about the signing, describing Raza as a very experienced and high-performing cricketer on a global scale. Sadler highlighted Raza’s three-dimensional skills and his ability to have an impact in every game he plays, emphasizing that his competitive spirit will be fantastic for the team.

Raza’s signing comes as Northants aim to improve their performance in the T20 Blast after finishing sixth in the North Group last season. With over 4,000 runs at a strike rate just below 135 and 117 wickets in 203 career T20 appearances, Raza’s addition to the team will provide batting firepower and an additional spin-bowling option.