'Feel my new action is a bit difficult to read' - Sikandar Raza opens up on return after bone marrow infection

Following their T20I series win over Bangladesh, Zimbabwean legend Sikandar Raza, who was recently diagnosed with an infection in his bone marrow, spoke regarding his time off the pitch and the changes he had to make in order to continue playing cricket. The infection was first thought to be cancerous but that was not the case, but the 36-year-old had gone through a surgery as treatment.

Even though it did not affect his batting, Raza found it difficult with his bowling when he returned to practice. Raza said that used to feel weak and had to change his action in order to get back into bowling. Interestingly, now with his new action, the Zimbabwean feels that he is more effective and is working better.

Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Raza said, “Post-surgery, I couldn’t bowl with the old action and I lost a little bit of strength due to multiple shoulder injuries. Luckily I was with Sunil Narine in CPL and watched him closely. With the old action, batters could see my variations, but when I got to this new action, I personally felt it is a bit difficult for the batters to read”.

Pakistan-born Zimbabwean has been economical since then and it helps him in white-ball cricket. With Zimbabwe already qualified for the T20 World Cup, the team will expect him to bring his A-game forward.

Winning the series against Bangladesh a massive achievement: Sikandar Raza

Raza also spoke about his team’s historic triumph over Bangladesh recently. This was for the first time when Zimbabwe won a T20I series against a Test-playing nation. Raza played two important knocks in the three-match T20I series and solidified their victory over Bangladesh. Meanwhile, not just in the T20Is, Raza was brilliant in the first ODI against Bangladesh as well as he scored 135 runs in 109 balls. 

“Winning the series for the first time against Bangladesh and also in front of our home fans, that is a massive achievement. Runs, wickets, catches – they all add up; I am thankful to Allah that post-injury, I feel blessed,” he said.