Zimbabwe national cricket team star all-rounder, Sikandar Raza is indebted to the country for giving him a home when he moved from his country of birth, Pakistan to settle in Harare two decades ago.
His dream of becoming a fighter pilot although came crashing under the most unfortunate instances-failing an eye test having been one of the successful 60 applicants out of a possible 60 000 applicants did not go in vain.
It however, brought about a warrior on the field and his never die attitude and fighting spirit saw him raise the bat towards an opponent against Ireland at home in December attracting the wrath of the International Cricket Council (ICC) as he was fined match fees and given a two-match ban.
Raza qualified to play for Zimbabwe in 2013 after Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) successfully pushed for his papers subsequently making his Zimbabwe One Day International debut against Bangladesh in May 2013 and has not looked back since then.
Recently he was honoured for an outstanding 2023 season with ZC rewarding his stellar season with a plaque and US$10 000.
And on Wednesday he was short-listed for the T-20 Cricketer of the Year Award by the ICC.
Raza said his motivation on the field is a giving back to Zimbabwe for giving him a home.
“I owe this country a lot; I think that’s my biggest motivation. This country has given me a home, base, fame, love- everything I could possibly wish and ask for. The fire within me that you see is because I want to return that love,” said Raza.
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“Nothing that I could do on the cricket park or outside park would ever be enough but at least I’m trying my hardest to return something to the people that have accepted me as one of their own.”
While Raza was on fire getting numerous awards in 2023 success eluded the team after two failed World Cup bids.
His wish in the away series against Sri Lanka in Colombo is to see the team back to winning ways.
Zimbabwe left for Colombo on Tuesday where they will play three One Day Internationals and as many T-20s against the hosts.
“Certainly I’m not a big believer of the New Year, new me whatever but I think we need to be new us this year,” he said.
“Some of the mistakes that we made in the past I think has to rectified but we have really tried our hardest with the Regional Games and the training sessions that we have had and some of the changes our organisation has made as well should certainly help us so I’m really optimistic and hoping that all of us collectively perform really well in Sri Lanka inshallah.”
Zimbabwe ODI captain, Craig Ervine is back in the side after missing the Ireland series at home back in December together with all-rounder Ryan Burl.
Sean Williams failed to recover in time for the Sri Lanka trip.
Former national team coach Walter Chawaguta has been thrust on the hot seat following the resignation of head coach Dave Houghton and will take charge of the team in the six-match limited overs series.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR ODI SERIES
Craig Ervine (captain), Faraz Akram, Ryan Burl, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Tapiwa Mufudza, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR T20I SERIES
Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Carl Mumba, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba.
