sikandar RAZA ENJOYS PSL MORE THAN THE IPL

Zimpapers Sports Hub

AFTER being retained by Lahore Qalandars for the 2025 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Zimbabwe white-ball series captain Sikandar Raza says he enjoys the league more than the India Premier League.

Raza was the only Zimbabwean cricketer to be picked from a cast of local players that were part of the 2025 PSL draft, which was held early this week.

Zimbabwe had 22 players in the draft,

This year Raza failed to make the grade for the IPL, which is set for March.

Raza revealed that he enjoyed playing in the PSL more than playing in the IPL.

In the past two years, Raza has featured in both the two leagues.

He said:

“I enjoy the PSL more. I have a lot more fun in the PSL as far as enjoyment is concerned.

“I’m not disappointed at all (over missing this year’s IPL).

“I have very strong beliefs that what is meant to be is meant to be,.”

In the last two editions of the IPL, Raza played nine matches for Punjab Kings.

He featured in seven matches during the 2023 season before going on to play two matches last year. He scored 182 runs with the highest score of 57.

Before joining Lahore Qalandars last season, Raza featured for the Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi.

He has played a total 23 matches in the PSL, scoring 337 runs, with a highest score of 71 runs.

At Lahore Qalandars, who are the two-time tournament winners, Raza will be playing alongside the likes of New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who was the first draft pick.

Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Ali, Tom Curran, Sam Billings and Kusal Perera will also be his teammates.

Some of the overseas stars set to take part at the forthcoming PSL tournament are David Warner (Australia Karachi Kings), Kane Williamson (New Zealand; Karachi Kings), Rilee Rossouw (South Africa, Quetta Gladiators), Shai Hope (West Indies, Multan Sultans), Johnson Charles (West Indies, Multan Sultans), Rassie Van Der Dussen (South Africa, Islamabad United), Jason Holder (Islamabad United), Alzarri Joseph (West Indies, Peshawar Zalmi).