Sports
Zimbabwean Raza biggest name in EPL
Kathmandu Kings XI has lit up the recruitment of foreign cricketers for this season’s Everest Premier League (EPL) announcing Zimbabwe all rounder Sikandar Raza on Tuesday.Kathmandu Kings XI has lit up the recruitment of foreign cricketers for this season’s Everest Premier League (EPL) announcing Zimbabwe all rounder Sikandar Raza on Tuesday.
Raza has come up as the biggest star to play in the most colourful domestic Twenty20 competition of the country that involves six city-based franchises. Kings XI have now completed all required three required number of foreign players as per the regulations.
Kings XI first announced Ireland international Kevin O’Brien as the first foreign recruit before confirming United Arab Emirates skipper Rohan Mustafa. “Zimbabwe has a rich history of excellent players. Sikandar is one of its kind, talented and brilliant cricketing brain,” Kings XI COO Raj Jung Thapa said in a statement.
“A right-handed batsman and a right-arm spin bowler, a perfect allrounder for the team, with a proven track record all over the world” Thapa added. Raza is the most experienced and big name in EPL so far having played 85 One Day Internationals, 28 Twenty20s and 10 Tests.
Born in Sialkot, Pakistan, Raza made his debut for Zimbabwe in May, 2013. He was adjudged man-of-the-series in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in March this year. Zimbabwe, however, missed the 2019 World Cup spot.
Kings XI is acquired by Tele Holdings Pvt Ltd as a legacy of Team Colors X-Factors from the first edition of EPL. Chitwan Tigers are the only second franchise to announce their international recruit for this edition which is tentatively scheduled for November-December.
On Tuesday, Chitwan Tigers had announced former England U-19 skipper Max Holden and another English county cricketer James Fuller as two of its recruits. Fuller, a former New Zealand U-19 cricketers, had switched his allegiance to England but the 28-year old is yet to play for three Lions.
Biratnagar Warriors, Lalitpur Patriots, Bhairahawa Gladiators and Pokhara Rhinos are the four other teams in the EPL. Paras Khadka-led Warriors had won the EPL defeating Sharad Vesawkar-led Gladiators in a high-voltage final at the Tribhuvan University grounds.