Sikandar Raza’s spark, 24 months of planning: Ryan Burl on Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup dream run

Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl celebrates the wicket of Australia's Glenn Maxwell in Colombo. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Who will make it to the Super 8s of the 2026 T20 World Cup? Most expected names — India, Australia, England, Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka — dominated the predictions. Even the USA was mentioned. Other teams, including Zimbabwe, were largely tagged as “underdogs.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! But Zimbabwe have shattered that perception. With majestic performances, they earned their place in the Super 8s, defeating Oman, Australia, and Sri Lanka along the way and sending a clear message: they are not underdogs. After the 2024 T20 World Cup, while the world speculated about the 2026 edition, Zimbabwe quietly went back to basics. They focused on learning, practicing, planning, and grinding hard without making noise. The results speak for themselves — Zimbabwe have emerged as the ‘Cinderella’ team of the tournament.

T20 World Cup | Zimbabwe assistant coach Dion Ebrahim on underdogs and shock wins

Now, Zimbabwe face another big test. They are placed in a tough Super 8 group with defending champions India, 2024 runners-up South Africa, and two-time champions West Indies. To reach the semifinals, they must finish in the top two of the points table. For Zimbabwe batter Ryan Burl, this success is not just a dream or a statement against their underdog tag. “This is the result of a 24-month plan we made and are now executing well,” he disclosed. Their journey reflects strategy, hard work, and belief, and now the team is ready to take on the giants. "You're always going to be the underdog when you're ranked lower," Burl told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.

Poll

Do you believe Zimbabwe can continue their winning streak in the Super 8s?

Yes, they are on a roll! No, they will struggle against strong teams.

"Beating a team ranked above you is always special. As underdogs, it motivates us even more because people don’t really expect us to win. So when we do, it means a lot — to us as players and to our nation." Zimbabwe dominated the sub-regional qualifiers, facing teams like Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania with authority. They went on to win Qualifiers B, the Regional Sub-Regional B, and finally the main qualifiers, securing their spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup — a dream this squad was determined not to let go to waste. Even after their impressive group-stage performances, Burl and the rest of the Zimbabwe team are not celebrating. Their focus has already shifted to the next challenge: executing a fresh, well-laid plan for the Super 8s. "Our success has been the result of a carefully crafted plan executed over time. Every player has put in immense hard work. About 18 to 24 months ago, we set ourselves the dream and goal of reaching the Super 8s," he said. "We’ve had highs and lows, but throughout, we’ve followed clear game plans and blueprints. Combining that planning with hard work has brought us to where we are today." Zimbabwe last played in India during the first round of the T20 World Cup in 2016. In the 2026 edition, they will kick off their Super 8 campaign against West Indies on Monday in Mumbai, followed by a clash against India in Chennai, and then face South Africa in Delhi. "We have to face India, West Indies, and South Africa in the Super 8s — three teams currently playing outstanding cricket. India are defending champions, so it’s a challenge in itself, but one we’re excited for. We can’t look too far ahead," Burl said. "We have to take one game at a time. There’s jubilation in what we’ve achieved so far, but we need to stay grounded, stay calm, and focus on the next hurdle."

Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza, right, and Brian Bennett run between the wickets. (AP Photo)

'SIKANDAR RAZA IS A SUPERSTAR' After Zimbabwe secured their place in the Super 8s, captain Sikandar Raza made a low-key entrance to address the media. He greeted everyone with a simple “Hello, everyone,” followed by a warm smile. “The fact that we’ve qualified for the Super 8s hasn’t changed the ultimate goal that we set out for. Like I said, it’s just a tick in the box, but we have a lot of other goals to achieve and everybody loves an underdog story, don’t they?” Raza had said, reflecting on the achievement. Burl gave credit to Sikandar Raza for instilling fire and belief in every player, motivating the squad, and pushing them toward their big dream. "To be honest, he’s a legend in his own right and has deserved all the plaudits. He is a superstar. He’s worked extremely hard throughout his career," Burl said. "As a teammate and brother on the field, it’s been very special to play alongside him. The team really buys into what he says. Combined with the guidance and leadership of coach Justin Simmons, it’s been an essential part of our success." Zimbabwe entered the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup after their crucial Group B clash against Ireland was washed out due to rain. The result saw former champions Australia and Ireland eliminated from the tournament.

Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and keyseries stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.

End of Article

Click here to read article