We can be better in field: Sikandar Raza after 90-run loss to India

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza admitted that his team's fielding and shot selection contributed to their 90-run defeat against India in the second T20I. While praising India's impressive batting, Raza highlighted areas where Zimbabwe needs improvement.

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I thought the boys bowled well in patches, but credit to India as well. Some of the shots they played and the skill they showed today were certainly admirable.

"I thought the boys bowled well in patches, but credit to India as well. Some of the shots they played and the skill they showed today were certainly admirable," Raza said during the post-match presentation. He specifically acknowledged that better support from fielders could increase pressure on the opposition. "We've been saying for some time now that we can be better in the field, and if the fielding department can support the bowlers a bit more, it'll add extra pressure on the opposition. But I don't want to take anything away from the Indian batters. The display they put on today is certainly something we can learn from," he added.

Raza also lauded India's Ishan Kishan for his crucial performance at number three, noting the batter's consistent form. "Ishan has done that quite regularly and consistently. I think he's going through a really good patch and batting very well, especially at number three, which can be a very tricky role. He and Tilak batted really well and, like I said, the skill they have and what they showed us today is something we can learn from. Hopefully, it'll help us improve as well," Raza commented.

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We've been saying for some time now that we can be better in the field, and if the fielding department can support the bowlers a bit more, it'll add extra pressure on the opposition. But I don't want to take anything away from the Indian batters. The display they put on today is certainly something we can learn from.

Chasing a challenging target of 220, Zimbabwe started positively but were ultimately bowled out for 129. Raza attributed the collapse to inexperience and poor shot selection. "We were always going to go for it. If you look at our openers, they gave us exactly the sort of start we needed. Unfortunately, it comes down to inexperience at times and sometimes shot selection, which is where we're letting ourselves down," he explained.

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Ishan has done that quite regularly and consistently. I think he's going through a really good patch and batting very well, especially at number three, which can be a very tricky role. He and Tilak batted really well and, like I said, the skill they have and what they showed us today is something we can learn from. Hopefully, it'll help us improve as well.

The Zimbabwe skipper also addressed his personal batting struggles, recognizing his responsibility to score more runs for the team. "But most importantly, I think I've been letting the team down as captain with my batting. The onus is on me to get it right because the team needs my runs, and unfortunately that hasn't been the case over the last two T20 games. But, Inshallah, I'll do my best to turn it around because the team could really do with my runs," Raza stated. India secured a comprehensive 90-run victory, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

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We were always going to go for it. If you look at our openers, they gave us exactly the sort of start we needed. Unfortunately, it comes down to inexperience at times and sometimes shot selection, which is where we're letting ourselves down.