Sikandar Raza

 

Name:

Sikandar Raza

Born:

April 24, 1986 Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan

Age:

37 years 215 days

Teams:

Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe A, Chittagong Vikings, 

Nickname:

Raza

Bat Style:

Right Handed Bat

Bowl Style:

Right-arm offbreak

Profile:

Hailing from Sialkot, Pakistan, Sikandar Raza's childhood ambition of becoming a fighter pilot was cut short after a failed eye examination. Despite this setback, Raza, driven by determination, pursued education at Glasgow Caledonian University and relocated to Zimbabwe, where his parents had settled in 2002.

Transitioning into cricket, Raza made his mark with the Northerns in 2007, later joining the Mashonaland Eagles post the 2009 restructuring of Zimbabwe's cricket setup. Following a hiatus for studies, he returned full-time in the 2010-11 season, excelling in both First-Class and T20 formats.

Zimbabwe recognized his talent swiftly, granting him citizenship in 2011. Despite missing the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Raza earned his ODI cap in 2013 against Bangladesh. Although his debut performance was modest, he showcased his prowess against India, scoring a well-measured 82 in his fourth game.

Raza's Test debut in 2013 against Pakistan displayed promise, marked by a fifty. Subsequent years saw him making significant contributions, particularly in the 2017 series against Sri Lanka, where he played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe's historic ODI series win.

Despite a standout performance in the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers, Zimbabwe missed out on the tournament. Post this setback, the cricket board made bold decisions, dropping senior players, including Raza. In 2021, Raza faced a health scare but made a remarkable recovery, returning to competitive cricket in stellar form.

His resurgence continued, earning him accolades as the Player of the Tournament in the T20I World Cup Qualifiers for 2022. Raza, now a prominent all-rounder, impressed with both bat and ball. Franchise teams worldwide sought him, and he contributed significantly to Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 league and Lahore Qalandars, winners of the 2023 PSL.

Picked by Punjab Kings for the 2023 IPL, Raza showcased his adaptability and contributed effectively in limited opportunities. As Zimbabwe eyes the ODI World Cup Qualifiers in 2023, Raza stands at the pinnacle of his career, poised to deliver impactful performances for his country.