Six Times Zimbabwean Cricketer Sikandar Raza Made Pakistan Proud

The ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup is in full swing in Sri Lanka and India, where, apart from the co-hosts, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have reached the Super 8 stage.

Yes, you read that right. Zimbabwe succeeded where Australia and Afghanistan couldn’t—and that’s largely because of one man: Sikandar Raza. The Zimbabwean skipper is not just a fine all-rounder who represents his adopted nation; he is also a proud Pakistani who has never forgotten his roots.

Born in Sialkot, Punjab, on 24 April 1986, Raza migrated with his family to Zimbabwe in 2002. Until then, he was more inclined to join the Pakistan Air Force than pursue a career in cricket. However, he developed a serious interest in the game during a visit to Scotland, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in software engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University.

It was there that he decided to take up cricket professionally, especially after scoring three T20 centuries for Weirs CC during the 2006 season. From that point, he began a journey that would turn him into an international star. Today, he is considered one of the finest all-rounders in T20 cricket. Under his leadership, Zimbabwe defeated two T20I champions in a span of a week—Australia and Sri Lanka—and qualified for the T20 World Cup. Here are some of the performances that shaped him into a T20 great—not just for Zimbabwe, but for his country of birth, Pakistan.

1 – When Sikandar Raza Announced Himself on the World Stage

Not many Zimbabwean middle-order batters had scored a century against Pakistan in ODIs before Sikandar Raza did—especially against a bowling attack comprising Mohammad Sami, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, and Mohammad Hafeez.

His century in the second ODI in May 2015 felt even more special because he scored it in Lahore, near his birthplace of Sialkot, in front of a crowd that likely included his relatives. Zimbabwe may not have won the match, but Raza’s 84-ball hundred certainly won hearts. His innings included eight fours and three sixes, announcing his arrival on the international stage in style.

2 – When He Led Zimbabwe to a Historic Series Win

In 2017, Sri Lanka was considered formidable in any format. Yet Zimbabwe defeated them on their home soil, thanks in large part to Raza’s performance in the fifth and final ODI.

He dismissed Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga with the ball and then played a crucial knock of 27 off 27 balls. He was adjudged Player of the Match as Zimbabwe secured their first-ever five-match ODI series win away from home—a feat that would define the team’s fighting spirit.

3 – When He Dominated World Cup Events

Although Zimbabwe missed out on the final stage of the 2019 ODI World Cup despite Raza’s heroics, he bounced back strongly. He was named Player of the Final in the 2022 T20 World Cup Qualifier and also earned Player of the Match awards after victories against Ireland and Pakistan in the main event.

He ended the year with 1,380 white-ball runs and numerous wickets for his adopted country, underlining his status as a genuine all-round force.

4 – When All-Round Raza Overpowered Bangladesh at Home

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have long been competitive rivals in limited-overs cricket. In 2022, Raza tilted the balance decisively in Zimbabwe’s favour.

In the first ODI, he scored a match-winning 135 not out off 109 deliveries and claimed the key wicket of Bangladeshi skipper Tamim Iqbal. In the second match, he went one better—scoring 117 not out off 127 balls and taking three wickets in the final overs.

He was named Player of the Match in both games and deservedly adjudged Player of the Series for his outstanding all-round display.

5 – When His Brilliance Overwhelmed the Netherlands

The Netherlands are often dubbed “giant killers” in T20 tournaments, but they had no answer to Raza during a 2023 World Cup Qualifier clash.

He first claimed four wickets and then smashed his seventh—and fastest—ODI century for Zimbabwe while chasing 315. His unbeaten 102 off just 54 deliveries, featuring six fours and eight sixes, powered Zimbabwe into the main round and earned him yet another Player of the Match award.

6 – When He Crossed Continents for the PSL Final 2025

Sikandar Raza’s commitment to the game was on full display in 2025. While representing Zimbabwe in a Test against England, he was also scheduled to feature in the PSL final for Lahore Qalandars.

As soon as the Test match in Nottingham ended in an innings defeat, Raza embarked on a whirlwind journey. Within 24 hours, he drove to Birmingham Airport and boarded the fastest available flight to Lahore, with stopovers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

He arrived just in time for the toss and was named in the playing XI. Not only did he dismiss Rilee Rossouw, but he also scored 15 crucial runs off the final over bowled by Faheem Ashraf to help Lahore Qalandars lift the trophy.

From Sialkot to Harare, from Lahore to global cricketing arenas, Sikandar Raza continues to make both Zimbabwe and Pakistan proud.