Watch, SA20 | Sikandar Raza treats cricketing world to Kohli and Stokes after helming last-ball win

Venkateswaran N

Close games take a toll on the players, and unsurprisingly, Sikandar Raza was full of emotions after the SA20 game against Durban’s Super Giants. The Paarl Royals all-rounder smashed a last-ball six to take his side home in a nerve-wracking thriller before letting out a celebratory roar.

Sikandar Raza
‌Paarl Royals went up to second in the SA20 points table with a nerve-wracking six-wicket win over Durban’s Super Giants in Paarl on Tuesday. Dan Lawrence (63) and Rubin Hermann (65) scored quickfire half-centuries while also adding 106 runs for the fourth wicket before Sikandar Raza powered the hosts home with a last-ball six, going past the target and ending at 191/4. Earlier, captain Aiden Markram scored a 46-ball 66, before Liam Livigstone’s entertaining 32-run cameo took the home side to a formidable 186/5.

Though Lawrence and Hermann steadied the chase for the home side with their crucial stand, it was Raza who stole the limelight in a high-octane clash. With two required off the last ball, the Royals' all-rounder tonked medium pacer David Wiese's slot ball for a huge six over midwicket to bring smiles to the faces in the dugout.

The Zimbabwe skipper was so engrossed in the chase and badly wanted to win it for his team, and unsurprisingly, gave a loud roar after the ball landed beyond the ropes. The all-rounder screamed in ecstasy, punching both his fists not once but thrice, before going towards teammate Hermann and hugging him.

The half-centurion Hermann was also chuffed with Raza’s unbeaten 13-ball 27 effort, lifting him after the hug. The Zimbabwean acknowledged his partner as he patted him on his back, appreciating his efforts.

But the cricketing world was quick to notice the all-rounder’s celebration and draw parallels with Virat Kohli’s celebration after India’s semifinal victory over South Africa in the 2014 T20 World Cup. Some also brought in the Ben Stokes celebration after England’s famous Headingley win in the 2019 Ashes series against Australia.

That was special!

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