Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza has heaped praise on franchise cricket in India, saying that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is much better than Pakistan Super League (PSL). Sikandar Raza is set to turn up for Punjab Kings in the 2024 season of the IPL, set to begin in March.
Speaking to Sports Now, Sikandar Raza said the availability of top international players makes IPL really special, while adding that only PSL comes close to the IPL when it comes to attracting crowds. While Raza plays for PBKS in the IPL, he represents Lahore Qalandars in the PSL.
Sikandar Raza’s stint in T20 Leagues all round the globe and IPL
Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza feels that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most special franchise T20I league in the world. Sikandar Raza also revealed reasons why IPL stands out from other leagues in the world. Sikandar Raza is currently playing in International League T20 (ILT20)- a franchise T20I league in UAE. Later, he will participate in the Pakistan Super League 2024 (PSL 2024). Post the tournament, he will be part of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024).
After his incredible performance for Zimbabwe, Raza earned an IPL contract in the 2023 season. In the IPL 2023 auction, Punjab Kings bought the right-handed batsman for Rs. 50 lakh. The Shikhar Dhawan-led side retained him ahead of IPL 2024 auction. Sikandar Raza’s best performance in IPL in 2023 when he took his team over the line by running 3 runs against Chennai Super Kings to chase down target of 200 runs for Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Over the past year Sikandar Raza has been super consistent with his all round performances across the globe , the latest being the last ball 6 he hit during his innings vs the Desert Vipers in ILT20 representing Dubai Capitals.
In the last season of IPL, Sikandar Raza played 7 matches for Punjab Kings. He mustered 139 runs at an average of 27.80 and also scored a half-century in one game. He held a powerful strike rate of 141+. With the ball, the off-spinner hunted 3 wickets across 6 innings at 9.92 economy.
Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza is part of Dubai Capitals in the ongoing ILT20 2024. The right-handed batsman has mustered 263 runs across 10 games averaging 32.87 and is the leading run-getter for his team. The occasional off-spinner has also executed a wonderful performance with the ball. He accounts for 9 wickets across 10 games at a superb economy of just 5.80.
In a thrilling finish, Raza recently hit a six off the last ball to win the game for his side. The 37-year-old all-rounder plays under David Warner for the Dubai Capitals and has scored 263 runs in 10 matches and has picked 9 wickets. Raza would want to carry his form to the IPL and be a value addition to the Punjab-led franchise and speaks about high volumes while comparing IPL to other leagues across the globe.
IPL is by far the best league- Sikandar Raza
Zimbabwe’s star all-rounder Sikandar Raza believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is currently the best cricket league in the world and is significantly better than the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Raza, who was retained by Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of IPL 2024, spoke about how the top players’ availability separates the Indian league from the competition. He suggested that IPL is also the best tournament in terms of crowd support, with PSL being the only other league that comes close.
During a chat with SportsNow, Sikandar Raza said:
“I just think that the availability of all the players for one tournament makes IPL really special. In most of the matches we play, the crowd comes and supports their teams. That’s something that’s really different in IPL. The only other league when it comes to crowds that comes close to IPL is PSL. So, I think IPL definitely stands out with a couple of factors, yes,”
Hailing IPL as the best league in the world, Raza added:
“IPL is by far the best league when it comes to PSL also. Like, it is much better than PSL. That’s what I’m trying to say. Yeah, I’m not a big fan of comparisons. But yes, it is. I think IPL is the biggest league on the planet,”
Sikandar Raza bagged his maiden IPL contract after he was roped in by PBKS for ₹50 lakh ahead of the 2023 edition. He did a decent job in his debut season, scoring 139 runs across seven games at a strike rate of 141.84 while also picking up three wickets with the ball.
Sikandar Raza grateful to his IPL franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Sikandar Raza also thanked the Punjab-based franchise for handing him his first-ever IPL contract. Expressing his gratitude, he suggested that he would not have gotten a chance to play in the tournament had PBKS not raised the baton for him at the auction.
On being asked if he has a dream of playing for a particular franchise, the 37-year-old said:
“No, IPL is such a big and global event that I am very grateful and blessed that Punjab picked me. And I don’t think I can ever repay their faith. I mean, they were the only team that raised the baton on the auction day. So, if they hadn’t done that, I don’t think I would have been part of IPL last year, let alone this year,”
“So, no, man. Being part of the IPL is a wonderful experience. And I am very grateful and humbled by the fact that Punjab has picked me. So, there is no particular franchise that I am dreaming of playing or one particular player that I want to play with. As long as I am playing good cricket, that’s all that matters to me,”
PBKS secured just six wins from their 14 matches in IPL 2023, finishing eighth in the points table and with Sikandar Raza in the thunderous form the batter and utility bowler would make the most of his form with the Punjab franchise leading them to success this IPL season.