Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium witnessed a crushing 107-run defeat for Zimbabwe against West Indies in the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash. Forced to shift from Sri Lanka to India for this crucial stage, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza remains unfazed by the logistical hurdles. In a post-match press conference, Raza emphasized that dwelling on venue changes serves no purpose—it’s the takeaways from the loss that count.
‘I don’t want to think that way,’ Raza stated firmly. ‘If we’re constantly fixated on changing venues or countries, we won’t learn anything from this game. For me and for Zimbabwe, it’s vital we extract lessons from this. Excuses don’t help. To progress, we must play good cricket everywhere—be it here or in Sri Lanka. Venue changes don’t trouble me; what matters is what we’ve learned from this match.’
Delving into the pitch conditions, Raza noted the unexpected behavior at Wankhede. ‘We anticipated a flat, true surface, but it started turning later, and that’s where we lost control. It was a fantastic learning experience. The boys will now know how to bowl on slower pitches and devise plans against power-hitters who can clear boundaries effortlessly. If we face a West Indies-like side on a small ground again, today’s insights will prove invaluable.’
Reflecting on the daunting 255-run chase, Raza recalled a moment of optimism. ‘At one point, Tony Munyonga and I thought even 18 runs per over in the last seven overs was chaseable here. When you connect, the ball really flies. Our plan was to maintain 12-13 runs per over without forcing it, and it was working for a while. Unfortunately, Gudakesh Motie’s spell flipped the game entirely. But on this ground, with two set batsmen, you’re never completely out—plenty of runs can flow in the final five to eight overs.’
Despite the heartbreak, Raza’s resolve shines through. ‘Every time Zimbabwe steps onto the field, our goal is victory. We aim to perform strongly and earn respect. Even against India, the mindset remains the same. Both teams have losses to avenge; we have much to prove. We’ll carry today’s lessons, leverage what we know about Chennai, push for a better show, and see what unfolds.’
Zimbabwe’s campaign hangs in the balance, but Raza’s leadership underscores a team determined to grow from adversity.