Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE all-rounder Sikandar Raza is expected to be in the mix as two-time champions Lahore Qalandars get their campaign underway in the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League against title holders Islamabad United today.
The 38-year-old is the only Zimbabwean international playing in the 2025 high-profile PSL after he was retained by Lahore Qalandars.
Twenty-one of Raza’s Zimbabwean compatriots were involved in the player draft, but were not successful.
Raza, a key member of the Chevrons, will be playing alongside the likes of New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Ali, Tom Curran, Sam Billings and Kusal Perera.
Speaking to a Pakistani news channel, Raza said that he was eagerly awaiting the start of PSL and was fully prepared for the tournament.
“We are eagerly waiting for the matches to begin, and we believe we will perform well this season,” he told the Pakistani media.
Reflecting on the previous edition, he acknowledged that the team made mistakes, but is now focused on overcoming those shortcomings.
Qalandars, who became the first team to win consecutive PSL titles in 2023, had a forgetful campaign in the last season as they could win just one match and finished at the bottom of the standings with three points.
“We made mistakes in the previous edition, now we have to overcome them. We are eagerly waiting for the matches to start. We believe we will do well this season,” he said.
Qalandars will be under the tutelage of South African Russell Domingo, who was recently appointed the head coach for the PSL 2025 season.
Raza praised the Qalandars management for selecting a strong coaching staff and integrating new players into the squad.
He emphasised the importance of team unity, noting that most of the players have been playing together for a while, which has fostered a strong team culture.
“Everyone is like a family, which creates a great dressing room environment. Our positive team culture, both on and off the field, has played a key role in winning back-to-back titles,” he added.
The Zimbabwean all-rounder also acknowledged that the void created by star leg-spinner Rashid Khan’s absence cannot be filled but expressed confidence in the new spinner brought in as his replacement.
“Rashid Khan is like family to us, and we wish him well. His absence will be felt, but the spinner replacing him is also talented,” he said.
