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Raza’s Zimbabwe future in doubt as he joins English club

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ZCF OriginalVeteran

Opening post


IMBABWE cricket allrounder Sikandar Raza has joined English side Shelley Cricket Club fueling speculation that his move could signal the end of international cricket career with the senior national team.

Raza, 31, who was part of the Matabeleland Tuskers side currently competing in the ongoing Pro50 Championship, arrived in England on Friday, with his new club confirming his signing

“We are delighted to announce our new signing Sikandar Raza has arrived. Sikandar brings a wealth of talent and experience to Shelley having represented Zimbabwe in all three formats, including 10 tests & 85 ODIs.

“Welcome to Shelley Sikandar and good luck for the season,” the club said in a statement.

Shelley Cricket Club competes in the Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League, the premier cricket competition in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.

The league has been in existence since 1891 and now has 44 clubs representing suburbs of Huddersfield and villages in the Huddersfield District area and surrounds.

Raza’s decision to play for the English club comes at a time when national team players, who are owed salaries, allowances, match fees and bonuses, threatened to boycott the home tri-series with Australia and Pakistan in July if they are not paid.

While it remains unclear whether Raza will remain available for the national team, the Pakistan-born Zimbabwe international recently told NewZimbabwe.com that he was considering his future amid fears of fresh financial problems for ZC in the wake of the national team’s failure to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

The local cricket governing body which is saddled by a debt of around $19 million has been struggling to pay players and members of staff on time due to financial constraints.

The 2019 World Cup will be the first time that Zimbabwe will not participate in a World Cup since 1979.

As an Associate nation, Zimbabwe qualified for the World Cup in 1983, 1987 and 1992 by winning the respective ICC Trophy tournaments for Associate countries that preceded each of those World Cups.

After being elevated to Test status, Zimbabwe received automatic entry to the following six World Cups beginning in 1996 through 2015.

https://www.newzimbabwe.com/razas-zimba ... lish-club/

Raza marked his debut with a great allround performance. A century, 2 wkts and a catch. In the second match, he took 5 wickets.
Zim fanatic since 1987
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Even if he is away for now. let's hope that this is more of a mini-detour like the ones Taylor and Sibanda took in order to explore Australian Grade Cricket some years ago.
ZCF OriginalVeteran
He's also made the Montreal Tigers side for the inaugural Canadian T20 league
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Raza snapped up by Montreal Tigers in the Canada T20 league. It runs 28th June to 15th July. Clearly in conflict with the T20I tri-series. He's gone for now.

Also shows either:

1. No other Zimbo put his name forward OR

2. No other Zimbo was considered worthy of selection even for this league

We have not played domestic T20s for ages now. That shows.

A UAE T20 league has been announced. Their board claims that ZC is one of the boards that has announced "support". Not sure what that translates to for players - will it attract more Zimbo players to the league? Hope so.

Options growing for people like Raza.


Mr Twig wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 1:06 am

He's also made the Montreal Tigers side for the inaugural Canadian T20 league


Ah, you were just a few minutes early :)
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Really did not expect Raza of all people to leave. He was the most passionate of the boys out there despite not being born in ZIM!

Why put a Canadian league over your country.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF OriginalVeteran
Playing in Canada over the tri-series. We have really hit rock bottom 😂

Raza can easily be a t20 mercenary. He has the skill and is very well received in the sub-continent. He could easily bounce around different tournaments as well as play in ODI leagues like he did in Bangladesh. He is one of the lucky few who geneuinely dont need ZC.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:23 am

Really did not expect Raza of all people to leave. He was the most passionate of the boys out there despite not being born in ZIM!

Why put a Canadian league over your country.


Seriously? After all the s**t he's taken and the lack of payment, you really ask that question?

ZC needs to be dispanded while these crooks are running the show. My interest is dwindling quikcly as any success we achieve is window dressing for the diabolical situation behind the scenes.
ZCF OriginalVeteran
Just looked at the other names involved. It looks its going to be big.. wow this is shameful. We should be embarrassed
ZCF Hall of Famer
Sort of goes againt his 'all heart for Zim' image hes had over the last 12 months.

It looks like he's weak and running from the fight now. Leaving the boys behind.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

ZIMDOGGY wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 11:20 am

Sort of goes againt his 'all heart for Zim' image hes had over the last 12 months.

It looks like he's weak and running from the fight now. Leaving the boys behind.


Or he's just completely tired of the bullshit and has the common sense to utilize his skills where they're going to be more appreciated. Just saying
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

sloandog wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 9:27 am


Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:23 am

Really did not expect Raza of all people to leave. He was the most passionate of the boys out there despite not being born in ZIM!

Why put a Canadian league over your country.


Seriously? After all the s**t he's taken and the lack of payment, you really ask that question?

ZC needs to be dispanded while these crooks are running the show. My interest is dwindling quikcly as any success we achieve is window dressing for the diabolical situation behind the scenes.


I mean that I'm just surprised the Canadian league can offer enough money + quality to make it worth teh while of a player like Raza.

Stephen Smith and David Warner can't play in an officially sanctioned ICC tournaments (as I understand it) due to their bans, so that makes sense. Otherwise they wouldn't even think of a Canadian T20 stint.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Veteran

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:25 pm


sloandog wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 9:27 am


Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:23 am

Really did not expect Raza of all people to leave. He was the most passionate of the boys out there despite not being born in ZIM!

Why put a Canadian league over your country.


Seriously? After all the s**t he's taken and the lack of payment, you really ask that question?

ZC needs to be dispanded while these crooks are running the show. My interest is dwindling quikcly as any success we achieve is window dressing for the diabolical situation behind the scenes.


I mean that I'm just surprised the Canadian league can offer enough money + quality to make it worth teh while of a player like Raza.

Stephen Smith and David Warner can't play in an officially sanctioned ICC tournaments (as I understand it) due to their bans, so that makes sense. Otherwise they wouldn't even think of a Canadian T20 stint.


I have been working here teaching Australian sports such as cricket, footy and netball. Toronto has a big Asian population and many schools have got cricket teams. Add all us Aussies and English people on visas. They actually have a market for it here
ZCF OriginalLegend

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:25 pm


sloandog wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 9:27 am


Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:23 am

Really did not expect Raza of all people to leave. He was the most passionate of the boys out there despite not being born in ZIM!

Why put a Canadian league over your country.


Seriously? After all the s**t he's taken and the lack of payment, you really ask that question?

ZC needs to be dispanded while these crooks are running the show. My interest is dwindling quikcly as any success we achieve is window dressing for the diabolical situation behind the scenes.


I mean that I'm just surprised the Canadian league can offer enough money + quality to make it worth teh while of a player like Raza.

Stephen Smith and David Warner can't play in an officially sanctioned ICC tournaments (as I understand it) due to their bans, so that makes sense. Otherwise they wouldn't even think of a Canadian T20 stint.


You're missing the whole point. A guaranteed pay check in a Canadian boasting names like Smith, Warner, Gayle, Parnell, Pollard, Miller etc is much better than playing for a country that refuses to pay you or care about you.

Also, Smith and Warner would not think of a Canadian stint because they have domestic clubs, and counties that employ them. Barring that, they would have been playing for their national team and getting paid proper money and top level cricket.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

zimbos_05 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:36 am

Also, Smith and Warner would not think of a Canadian stint because they have domestic clubs, and counties that employ them. Barring that, they would have been playing for their national team and getting paid proper money and top level cricket.


I'm not judging the decision. Raza is certainly not the first player to walk off from ZIM. But at the same time, you have to accept a certain level of crap when you sign up to play cricket in ZIM I think. You know right off the bat that you won't be getting paid on time.

I'm more curious as to why quit now? Especially if you're only going to come back 6-12 months later. Cremer did it, Williams did it, I think even Taylor did it.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF Hall of Famer
He will come back to a fatter contract. I’m asssuming his contract was up for renewal.
ZCF Hall of Famer
Those contracts should have a breach clause on both sides if his manager was any good
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