Time and fortune are never constant, and few stories capture this better than that of Sikandar Raza. Just months after Zimbabwe’s crushing defeat to Uganda in 2023 that eliminated them from T20 World Cup 2024 contention, Raza faced a personal tragedy—the death of his 13-year-old brother. Yet, 27 months later, the all-rounder has experienced a remarkable turnaround, guiding Zimbabwe into the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Raza, who will turn 40 in a few months, remains a vital figure for Zimbabwe, combining aggressive batting, shrewd captaincy, and relentless determination. While numbers may not yet reflect his impact—30 runs and one wicket in two matches so far—he has delivered at crucial moments, including a quickfire 25 against Australia that set Zimbabwe up for a famous victory over the 2021 champions.
Zimbabwe’s path to the Super 8s has been a test of courage and resilience. From topping the Sub-Regional Africa qualifier in Kenya to securing their T20 World Cup berth in the Africa Regional finals, the team overcame adversity at every stage. Raza’s leadership was central, motivating the squad to confront setbacks head-on and focus on achieving their goals.
Despite qualifying, Raza stresses that the job is far from done. With a final group-stage match against Sri Lanka remaining, Zimbabwe has the opportunity to finish unbeaten in Group B and carry momentum into the Super 8s. For Raza, winning a trophy in Zimbabwe colours would crown a career already decorated with successes in leagues like the PSL, CPL, and ILT20.
The journey of Sikandar Raza is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and the ability to turn heartbreak into triumph. Zimbabwe’s Super 8 qualification is just the beginning, and with Raza at the helm, the team’s ambitions are clearly far from over.
