Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza hailed the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the biggest league on the planet and called it much better than the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Raza will play for Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL 2024.
Raza is currently featuring in the ILT20 league for the Dubai Capitals, which is undergoing in the UAE, and talked about his preparation for the upcoming IPL.
“There is no better preparation than to be playing cricket. So, ILT20, of course, is a high-standard league. I am going to play PSL from here. I am looking forward to that PSL. So, you know, my preparation leading to IPL will be playing ILT20 and PSL and that. I mean, you cannot substitute game time. I think that should be the best preparation one can have before an IPL,” Raza said to SportsNow.
He also called the IPL different from every other franchise league and the biggest festive cricket festival on the planet that happens.
“I just think that the availability of all the players for one tournament makes IPL really special. In most of the matches we play, the crowd comes and supports their teams. That’s something that’s really different in IPL. The only other league when it comes to crowds that comes close to IPL is PSL. So, I think IPL definitely stands out with a couple of factors, yes,” Raza stated.
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IPL is one of the biggest sporting brands in the world and started in 2008. Its success led to other countries starting their own T20 leagues like the BBL in Australia, the CPL in the Caribbean, the PSL in Pakistan, and so on.
When it comes to the best league out of all, Raza said, “IPL is by far the best league when it comes to PSL also. Like, it is much better than PSL. That’s what I'm trying to say. Yeah, I’m not a big fan of comparisons. But yes, it is. I think IPL is the biggest league on the planet.”
After being asked about any particular player or franchise that Raza wants to play for, he said, “No, IPL is such a big and global event that I am very grateful and blessed that Punjab picked me. And I don't think I can ever repay their faith. I mean, they were the only team that raised the baton on the auction day. So, if they hadn’t done that, I don't think I would have been part of IPL last year, let alone this year. So, no, man. Being part of the IPL is a wonderful experience. And I am very grateful and humbled by the fact that Punjab has picked me. So, there is no particular franchise that I am dreaming of playing or one particular player that I want to play with. As long as I am playing good cricket, that’s all that matters to me.”
Sikandar Raza is currently plying his trade in the ILT20 league which is going on in the UAE. The Zimbabwe-based player is representing Dubai Capitals which is led by David Warner.
(SportsNow inputs)
