Vipers vs DC, Final at Dubai, ILT20, Feb 09 2025 – Match Result

Sikandar Raza: “I think certainly, you feel really proud and amazing and humble at the same time. Because we have grafted it for three years and we didn’t build this success overnight, we have had our Eliminator that we got knocked out in the first season. Then they lost the final as well. So suddenly, the lessons we learned from the last final certainly sort of helped us to win this final. So really happy, but I think the real feeling will sink in in a few hours. (Performing in the crunch moment) I think the beauty about this culture and everybody, whether we are players or the technical staff, is even though I wasn’t having such a great tournament, at no point did anybody doubt my ability, or the skills that I had everybody backed me with the bat and with the ball and in the field, even when Sam Billings came. I was named as a deputy as well, because of the confidence and management has in me on and off the park as well. So, all those things once you have all those confidence in the changing room, the culture we’re building the changing room suddenly. This wasn’t just about skill. It was about character and confidence certainly, that we built in the changing room. I think there are two reasons personally. For me, everybody’s different. One thing is clarity because at no point did the management or my team lose any confidence in my ability, even though I wasn’t having such a great tournament. I think the expectations from last year’s, but having said that, we moved up and down the order, to manage everybody. And I think this team has certainly been selfless, but apart from that, emotions sort of give me energy and power, and I try and fuel that and channel that in the right direction, and it’s not in anger or desperation or anything like that. It is motivation. So, all those emotions, if I’m asked to open the inning or bat at seven, it doesn’t really bother me. Whatever the role that’s been assigned to me, we have played so much cricket and the way we train as well. We practice for all the roles that could come our way. At one point, I was supposed to bat at number five. We had a partnership, I was told to bat at six. We had another partnership, I was told to bat at seven, so you remain calm because of the clarity of the roles and the fact that we have trained and with a purpose for those who all suddenly become easier to control those emotions as you mentioned. (Where’s the party tonight) Well, I’ve got an early morning flight, so I’ll probably celebrate in Zimbabwe. We’ve got an ODI game against Ireland on the 14th, so I’ve got to get home early, enjoying the team as quickly as possible, but I will certainly be joining my teammates for an hour or so at least.”