Colombo, Feb 19 (NationPress) Sikandar Raza highlighted the significance of belief, preparation, and fearlessness after steering Zimbabwe to another remarkable victory against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He noted that their unbeaten streak showcases the team's increasing confidence and resilience, and many hope to witness the 'underdogs' triumphing.

The Zimbabwe captain, honored as Player of the Match for his impactful all-round display at the R. Premadasa Stadium, shared his faith in his rhythm, even after a cautious opening during the chase.

“As I stepped out, I believed the openers had set a solid foundation. When Ryan Burl came in, we aimed to shift the momentum, but he unfortunately got out. After the initial eight balls, I told myself, I've only scored four or five runs, yet I can see the ball well and making solid contact. From that moment, I backed myself to find a ball that could soar,” he expressed during the post-match interview.

Raza elaborated that once he gained momentum, he focused on calculated aggression to maintain control over the chase. “Once I connected with one, it was about keeping that momentum going. In my mind, I was calculating, careful not to over-attack. We required one over with 20 runs, which we achieved. After that, it was about scoring nines, then eights, then sixes. Ideally, I wanted to finish the game, but we’ll take it,” he explained.

He also praised his batting partner, Brian Bennett, commending the young player's composure and maturity under pressure.

“I kept encouraging Benny (Brian Bennett) to hit a boundary whenever he found a ball, but it was crucial he batted through. I felt I’d let him down initially, but as I found my rhythm, I asked him to stay patient. If he held one end, we could secure the win from the other. Credit to Benny for playing that role excellently; he will only improve with each game. I look forward to seeing him grow,” he remarked.

Raza reflected on Zimbabwe's unbeaten journey with pride but acknowledged his focus remains on future challenges.

“I’m thrilled with how Zimbabwe has performed. Every game we’ve played, we’ve won, remaining unbeaten. For me, it’s always about the next game. While I want to savor this victory, my thoughts often drift ahead. It’s a great position for a captain, and I’ll try to enjoy tonight, but let’s see how it unfolds,” Raza stated.

Despite their success, Raza emphasized that Zimbabwe is committed to continuous improvement and maintaining their momentum.

“There’s always room for growth. We can win the first game of the Super Eight; it can always improve. We keep our sights forward. But if I focus on the present, the effort the boys have shown over the last two weeks is commendable. I doubt anyone expected us to be where we are. Winning hearts and earning respect is a wonderful place to be,” he added.

He also made it clear that Zimbabwe's mindset remains unchanged, irrespective of match situations, including the toss. “When we lost the toss, I told my boys: If we are genuinely playing good cricket, why should the toss influence our mindset? If we play well, it is what it is.”

Raza credited Zimbabwe's tactical clarity and preparation for their adaptability during tense moments, stating, “I’m really pleased. First and foremost, we’ve trained for every scenario. When chasing, everything is on the board. We have the right players to send in at the appropriate times. We actually altered our batting order about four times during the chase.”

With Zimbabwe now firmly positioned as one of the tournament's unexpected contenders, Raza reaffirmed the belief fueling their campaign. “To finish unbeaten is something we can all be proud of. If we can secure two out of the three matches, who knows what can happen? As I often say - everyone loves an underdog story,” he concluded.