Personal info
Known for
Public Figures
Gender
Male
Birthday
24 April
Location
Punjab, Pakistan
Edit pageSikandar Raza
Biography
Sikandar Raza is a prominent Zimbabwean international cricketer, celebrated for his exceptional all-round abilities. Born on April 24, 1986, in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan, his journey to representing Zimbabwe is a story of unexpected turns and remarkable determination.
Raza initially aspired to be a pilot in the Pakistan Air Force but had to shift his focus after failing a vision test. In 2002, he emigrated to Zimbabwe with his family. His cricketing potential emerged during his university studies in Scotland, where he played semi-professional cricket. He later moved back to Zimbabwe and made his List A debut in 2007 and his first-class debut in the same year.
After consistent performances in domestic cricket and gaining Zimbabwean citizenship in 2011, Raza made his international debut for Zimbabwe in May 2013 in an ODI against Bangladesh. His T20I debut followed shortly after, and his Test debut came later that year against Pakistan.
Raza has since become a mainstay of the Zimbabwean team, contributing significantly with both bat and ball.
A right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler, he has played numerous crucial innings and taken vital wickets across all formats. Some of his notable achievements include his maiden ODI century against Afghanistan in 2014, a Test century against Sri Lanka in 2017, and being named Player of the Tournament in the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. In October 2024, he hit the joint second-fastest T20I century, scoring it in just 33 balls against Gambia.
He has also participated in various T20 leagues worldwide, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he played for Punjab Kings, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Lahore Qalandars, and the ILT20 for Dubai Capitals, where he was named the Most Valuable Player in 2024.
Raza was also nominated for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award in 2024, marking his third consecutive nomination for this honour. As of May 2025, he captains the Zimbabwe T20I team and continues to be a vital force in international cricket.