Raza wants to play for Zimbabwe

[eugene]

Maybe Brian Lara wants to qualify.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

From the Independent:

Meanwhile, Southern Rocks’ Sikandar Raza from Pakistan is set to play for Zimbabwe. He has applied for Zimbabwean citizenship.
Raza, who is having a good season, has already reached an agreement with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to play for the national team once his papers are in order.
After scoring a remarkable 93 off 48 balls against Tuskers on Wednesday, Raza is waiting for what would be dream come true for him to play for the national team.
“I want to play for Zimbabwe and I have been waiting for that since last year,” said Raza. “I have been on top of my game this season and I know I can make a good contribution.”
ZC are currently regularising his papers with the relevant authorities so that he can assume Zimbabwean citizenship and start challenging for a place.

[sloandog]

I haven't had thr pleasure of whatching the lad bat...is he of international quality.
Mind you, Keith Dabengwa is in the squad, so anything's possible

[maehara]

Have they changed the citizenship rules lately? As far as I was aware, if you were so much as eligible for the citizenship of another country, you couldn't claim Zim citizenship, even if you were born there. Raza would presumably have Pakistani citizenship.

I mention that only as citizenship is mentioned. ICC rules only require residence, and he's certainly got that.

[andybligz]

should be given a crack in the A games first but yes he could fill hammys role one day or even a number 3 or 4

[sanchez]

Have they changed the citizenship rules lately? As far as I was aware, if you were so much as eligible for the citizenship of another country, you couldn't claim Zim citizenship, even if you were born there. Raza would presumably have Pakistani citizenship.

I mention that only as citizenship is mentioned. ICC rules only require residence, and he's certainly got that.

This has not been allowed before for if you do not have a zim passport you cannnot play for zim.so why now? Raza should not be given zim passport as it will
set a precedent.The sport commision must look into this,A Campbell needs to answer why is he allowing british passport holders play for zim,and not only him
but Chingoka and Bvute as well.

[maehara]

The sport commision must look into this,A Campbell needs to answer why is he allowing british passport holders play for zim,and not only him but Chingoka and Bvute as well.

Why? South Africans play for England & Ireland (cricket), ZImbabweans play for South Africa and Australia (rugby union) - it's a sport, not a war, and if the rules & regulations of the sport concerned are met, then what's the problem? Other than blatant nationalism, which is a very dangerous thing.

ICC regulations are clear: they require 4 years' residence in the country you want to play for. They do not require citizenship. If there's a requirement for citizenship in Zim then it's a local policy - I don't believe there's any law in place requiring it. If Raza is happy enough to turn his back on Pakistan and seek to make a career out of playing for Zimbabwe - a country that he has clearly made his home - then why shouldn't he?

[sanchez]

The sport commision must look into this,A Campbell needs to answer why is he allowing british passport holders play for zim,and not only him but Chingoka and Bvute as well.

Why? South Africans play for England & Ireland (cricket), ZImbabweans play for South Africa and Australia (rugby union) - it's a sport, not a war, and if the rules & regulations of the sport concerned are met, then what's the problem? Other than blatant nationalism, which is a very dangerous thing.

ICC regulations are clear: they require 4 years' residence in the country you want to play for. They do not require citizenship. If there's a requirement for citizenship in Zim then it's a local policy - I don't believe there's any law in place requiring it. If Raza is happy enough to turn his back on Pakistan and seek to make a career out of playing for Zimbabwe - a country that he has clearly made his home - then why shouldn't he?

South africans have taken british and irish passports through their ancestors and am sure zimbabweans have taken south african and australian passports.
Raza may have residence permit like the british passport holders so why A Campbell does not select him.First comes the countries policy then ICC.

[maehara]

Raza may have residence permit like the british passport holders so why A Campbell does not select him.First comes the countries policy then ICC.

You haven't answered my question: why should someone who has made Zimbabwe their home not play for Zimbabwe? I'm genuinely interested in why you seem to think that a piece of paper (a Zim passport) is so important. I don't see that it is.

[syedmahm]

Raza may have residence permit like the british passport holders so why A Campbell does not select him.First comes the countries policy then ICC.

..........why should someone who has made Zimbabwe their home not play for Zimbabwe? I'm genuinely interested in why you seem to think that a piece of paper (a Zim passport) is so important. I don't see that it is.

Agree..