Srinagar: Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Zimbabwe superstar Sikandar Raza for brilliant display against Lucknow Super Giants for Punjab Kings in IPL 2023 on Saturday.
Raza scored 57 runs off 41 balls to guide Punjab Kings to a two-wicket win against LSG in a last-over thriller.
Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar hailed Raza’s contribution, saying it was very thoughtful batting from the Zimbabwean, adding that he made a calculated assault against spinner Krunal Pandya.
“Sometimes you target a particular bowler. Krunal is not a big turner of the ball, he can be predictable sometimes, he’ll fire a ball at your pads. That’s exactly what he was prepared for. So, he made room and hit two shots for sixes. It was very thoughtful batting, a calculated assault on someone who is a very clever bowler,” said Gavaskar.
He went on to laud Punjab Kings batter Shahrukh Khan’s contribution with the bat and in the field.
“The catches that Shahrukh Khan took and the way he came and smashed the first ball for a six was great. Sikandar Raza played very well. Not to forget what Short did in his brief knock. The way Short played some of his shots took the game a little bit away from LSG, especially when Yudhvir Singh had picked two wickets and put pressure on Punjab,” Gavaskar added.
Former England captain Paul Collingwood said Raza used his brain and didn’t panic against LSG, playing an important knock to guide his side to victory.
“Raza used his brain and didn’t panic. He isn’t the most powerful batter in the world, but he tried to hit the gaps, he tried to get those ones and twos, he was running hard. He just about couldn’t finish the game off but his innings was so important for Punjab to win the game,” said Collingwood.