BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: Ricky Ponting of the BBC commentary team speaks on air before play on day one of the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at The Gabba on November 23, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Sikandar Raza has revealed an unlikely source of inspiration for his game-winning heroics against Pakistan, admitting that a video of Australian great Ricky Ponting was a key motivator.

The Zimbabwean allrounder ended the evening with 3-25 from four overs in one of the matches of the T20 World Cup so far, inspiring Zimbabwe to an electric win.

Speaking after the match, the 36-year-old admitted that seeing a clip of Ponting praising Raza was an "extra kick" for him in the match.

"I couldn't sleep much last night. For me, this game was playing over and over again," Raza said.

"We don't get to play top nations a lot. We don't get to play under lights a lot. This is my first game in Perth.

"My body was sleeping, but my mind was constantly spinning, reading, thinking about the game.

"When I woke up a friend of mine sent me a message and he said, 'have you seen a clip on the ICC page?'

"That was Ricky Ponting talking about Zimbabwe, and in particular me.

"Listen, some of my friends and family members messaged and they had a tear in their eye. For me, I had goosebumps.

"It was one of the greats of the 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."

The ICC video was full of praise for Raza, with Ponting lauding his maturity and exuberance.

"He's 36 years of age, but he's playing with a more youthful exuberance than that. It looks like he's 26 again," Ponting said on Raza.

"He's running around in the field, enjoying himself, and leading from the front.

"Those players want that big moment, they want that stage, and when they get there, they're not going to let it slip and they're going to make sure they get the job done.

"That's what Sikandar has done so brilliantly.

"His level of maturity has gone through the roof. He stands up in pressure moments.

"He stood up in the qualifiers. He basically single-handedly got Zimbabwe into the World Cup in the first place."

Zimbabwe's World Cup campaign continues on Sunday, October 30 against Bangladesh at The Gabba.