Raza Gears Up For USA Major League Cricket

GLOBE trotting Zimbabwe Cricket star, Sikandar Raza is set to take part in yet another international T20 league after he was signed by a United States of America (USA) Major League Cricket side. 

Raza was announced by the Washington based Seattle Orcas on Monday. The new league is set to start on 13 July 2023 and is operated by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) and sanctioned by USA Cricket.

The 37-year-old Chevrons all-rounder is no stranger to global franchise leagues having taken part in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Nepal T20, Pakistan Super League (PSL) and is also taking part in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Seattle Orcas took to Twitter to announce the Zimbabwean ace. 

“Fireworks, Pending. Zimbabwe’s explosive all-round talisman is psyched to set MLC 2023 alight. Help us in welcoming Sikandar Raza to the Seattle Orcas,” read the Tweet from Seattle Orcas.

In a video also posted by his new team, Raza also confirmed that he will be joining the USA based side for the maiden tournament which is set to attract a lot of international stars. 

“I have got massive news to share with every one of you and the news is I have signed with Seattle Orcas for the upcoming and inaugural competition which is happening in America called MLC Major League Cricket. I cannot wait to join my team and I cannot wait to see my new teammates and I cannot wait to be part of this tournament. See you all soon,” said Raza in the video. 

Some of the international stars signed by Seattle Orcas include Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka, Nauman Anwar from Pakistan, South African duo of Quinton De Kock and Wayne Parnell and World Cup winning Australian, Mitchell Marsh among others. 

The matches are scheduled to take place at Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, with six teams in major USA cities participating. 

The other five teams that will be competing in the inaugural event are Los Angeles Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Texas Super Kings and Washington Freedom. 

In the IPL, Raza is playing for Punjab Kings and are still in the fight for a top four finish which will guarantee them a place in the play offs of the world’s biggest franchise league. 

In other cricket news, the Zimbabwe Select team held their first training session at Harare Sports Club on Monday ahead of today’s first One-Day match against the visiting Pakistan ‘A’ side. 

After today’s match, the rest of the matches will then be played on May 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 all at Harare Sports Club to round off Zimbabwe’s preparations.

The six-match 50-over series is part of the home team’s preparations for next month’s crunch World Cup Qualifiers that will be played in four venues across Harare and Bulawayo. Skipper Craig Ervine will be part of the Zimbabwean Select team. CHRONICLE

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