Pakistan-born wannabe fighter pilot Sikandar Raza flies high for Zimbabwe

Sikandar Raza once failed a test to join Pakistan's air force, but he was in great spirits on Thursday after helping Zimbabwe upset his own country in the Twenty20 World Cup.

The 36-year-old all-around player was born in Pakistan and initially intended to become a pilot, but his family left for Zimbabwe after being turned down.

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Sikandar continued to complete his graduate studies in Scotland.

He played domestic cricket in Zimbabwe before being selected for the national team in 2013, but cricket was his first passion.

The game has to be learned the hard way, according to Raza.

"I picked up cricket late and maybe making up for a lost time," he said.

It's the same for the country he lives in now.

"For Zimbabweans, most of the learning is on the job," the mild-mannered Raza added.

"We don't get to play top nations a lot; we don't get to play under lights a lot. This was my first game at Perth."

In Perth, Raza, who has been in excellent form with the bat, emerged as a hero by returning figures of 3-25 as his Zimbabwean team defeated Pakistan by one run in a thrilling World Cup match.

Pakistan was in danger of being eliminated early as Zimbabwe advanced to third in a group India topped.

Afterward, Raza claimed that Ricky Ponting's praise had motivated him to perform well on their largest platform.

In a recent video by the International Cricket Council, former Australia captain Ponting praised Zimbabwe and singled out Raza.

"He is 36, but he's now playing with more youthful exuberance. Looks like he is 26 again; he is running around the field, enjoying himself, and leading from the front," Ponting said.

According to Raza, that was a significant boost to his confidence.

"When I woke up (this morning), my friend sent me a message and said, 'Have you seen a clip on ICC?' and that was of Ricky Ponting talking about Zimbabwe and me," Raza told reporters.

"Some friends and family messaged and said they had a tear in their eye for me. I had goosebumps, one of the greats of this game talking about Zimbabwe and, in particular me.

"Not that I needed an extra kick, but if I needed one, that clip did the job for me.

"I wanted to stay calm but simultaneously be pumped up for this game."