(Cricket News) The captain of Zimbabwe and the league’s top allrounder, Sikandar Raza, has agreed to play for Northamptonshire in the 2024 Vitality Blast. At 37, he is presently ranked as the fifth-best allrounder in T20I cricket and became the first player in the history of the format to score five half-centuries in a row. He is a nominee for ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year.

In his professional career, Raza has made more than 200 T20 appearances, including appearances in the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League, and Lanka Premier League. This will be his first time participating in the T20 competition in England.

“This will be a different challenge for me, but I have loved playing cricket in England in the past, so I am looking forward to fulfilling that,” Raza said. “We are delighted with the signing of Sikandar for the Blast,” said John Sadler, head coach of Northamptonshire.

“He is a very experienced, high performer on a global scale. He is a three-dimensional cricketer who always has an impact in every game he plays, and we know he is also a fierce competitor which will be fantastic for us.”

“I would like to entertain the fans and put a smile on their faces with as many wins as possible,” Raza stated. “Our first task is to secure a quarter-final spot and then take that momentum and belief into the latter stages and hopefully lift the trophy.

Looking at the side we have a decent squad and a lot of good players, I am looking forward to using my experience to help us win as many games as possible and help the younger players as well.” Raza will join the squad prior to the tournament and is available for all 14 group stage matches.

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