Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza feels that defeating Australia and booking a place in the Super Eight stage is not enough, insisting that his team is not done
impressing the world yet. After missing out on the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe have made a strong comeback this time and are determined to make a deep run in the tournament.
They will face Sri Lanka in their final Group Stage fixture before moving into the Super Eight, where they are set to take on West Indies, India, and South Africa. Zimbabwe secured victories over Oman and Australia, while their match against Ireland was washed out due to rain. With five points, they finished second in the group and advanced to the next stage.
"When Zimbabwe set out our goal wasn't just to qualify. We've got other goals to achieve and we remain focused for that. Yes, the Super Eights is a tick in the box, but it's certainly not the whole box,” said Raza as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Raza conceded that the team’s primary goal is to restore respect for the country through their performances. He emphasised that the past no longer matters and that the current group of players is focused on showcasing its full potential. According to him, Zimbabwe is now earning attention on the global stage, and whenever the nation is spoken about, particularly in cricket, it should be with respect.
"One of the goals we set out to achieve was certainly that we're going to bring more recognition and respect to our country. Whatever has happened in the past has happened, but this group of boys and the way we have been together for a long time and the way we have gone about our business with utmost honesty and integrity towards the game itself and to each other in the changing room - that was one of the things we set out for,” said Raza.
"To see now you guys (media) and everybody else putting Zimbabwe in a very respectable place and taking notice of our country is certainly very humbling and pleasing. It's one of the boxes we wanted to tick as well and hopefully, we can keep writing our own history and the next time when people talk about Zimbabwe when it comes to cricket, they show a bit more respect. That will be nice,” he added.
