Zimbabwe star makes international return for Ireland ODI series

After a brief absence from the international stage, Zimbabwe batsman Sikandar Raza will return for Ireland in the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan.

Zimbabwe star Sikandar Raza is set to make an international return for Ireland after being selected in the squad for their One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan.

Zimbabwe star Sikandar Raza is set to make an international return for Ireland after being selected in the squad for their One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan.

Raza, who played three Tests and two ODIs for Zimbabwe in 2016, has not represented his country since then but will now represent Ireland at Stormont on May 5. The 31-year-old batsman was born in Pakistan but holds an Irish passport thanks to his father’s Northern Irish roots.

The news follows confirmation that former South Africa fast bowler Kyle Abbott has also been included in an expanded 15-man squad ahead of their opening match against Afghanistan on Friday (May 3).

It will be Raza’s first international appearance since he was recalled to the Zimbabwe side in October last year, having previously played for Ireland from 2012 to 2016.

It will be Raza’s first international appearance since he was recalled to the Zimbabwe side in October last year, having previously played for Ireland from 2012 to 2016.

Raza has been in good form for Zimbabwe with scores of 78 and 57 against Pakistan A recently and has played four ODIs so far this year.

He is a talented batsman who can bat at any position in the top order or middle order but also bowls offspin when needed. He is a good fielder too – something that Ireland will appreciate as they look to strengthen their chances of winning this series against Pakistan A before they travel to England next month for an ICC World Cup Warm-Up match against Afghanistan at Old Trafford on June 1st followed by three T20Is (June 4th-6th) and two ODI’s (June 8th & 10th).

He had only been named as part of the squad earlier this week by the Irish selectors, but Cricket Ireland confirmed on Thursday that his availability was subject to “immigration clearance”.

Raza was selected to play for Ireland in 2012, but has since gone on to represent Zimbabwe. He was named in their squad for a one-day international series against Afghanistan last October and played one match before leaving the tour early due to illness.

He returned home after that incident and did not feature during Zimbabwe’s T20 series against Ireland or its subsequent ODI series against Scotland or England this summer either.

The 33-year-old enjoyed a prolific spell with the Irish team, scoring more than 1000 runs in 45 ODIs at an average of 52.41.

The Zimbabwe star enjoyed a prolific spell with the Irish team, scoring more than 1000 runs in 45 ODIs at an average of 52.41. He was the top scorer for Ireland in the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe and scored a century against the West Indies last month. The 33-year-old is also the second-highest run-scorer for Zimbabwe in ODIs (3551).

He will return to play his first international game since November 2018 when he featured against Afghanistan at home. His last appearance came during their series against Pakistan where they lost both games by 202 runs and 106 runs respectively before being knocked out from World Cup 2019 qualifying rounds by Nepal on net run rate difference despite beating them by one wicket at Bulawayo Sports Club Ground earlier this year

Conclusion

With Ireland’s squad already depleted by injuries, Raza’s inclusion is a welcome boost for head coach Gary Kirsten. The Zimbabwean has been in fine form in recent times, scoring centuries against Afghanistan and Pakistan on his return to international cricket last year.