Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SIKANDAR RAZA has admitted that juggling responsibilities and commitments across all three formats remains a work in progress, especially as he negotiates a packed calendar and the growing demands of being a T20 specialist.
Raza leads Zimbabwe in the Twenty20 format but remains a vital cog in the leadership core in Tests and One Day Internationals, especially considering the recent appointment of Richard Ngarava is still a bit wet under the nose.
Raza was recently in the country for a short break during which he was crowned the 2025 Annual National Sports Awards Sportsman and Sports-person of the Year during a glitzy ceremony held in the Capital last week.
The 39-year-old sat down with the Zimpapers Sports Hub, during which he opened up on the T20 journey, balancing the workload of playing all three formats and the recent spat between the Indian Premier League and the Pakistan Super League over Blessing Muzarabani.
As he pertains to juggling the workload, Raza is still committed to playing Test cricket, but his main priority right now remains white-ball cricket (T20 and ODI).
“I wouldn’t say I have a preference, but because of my workload and the things that I carry, I think it will be very difficult for me to play all three formats regularly and not break down,” said Raza.
“My body, how I manage myself and my workload — I think that is the most important thing right now.
“I will not miss any white-ball game for my country, and if that means I have to leave any league, then I will.
“ When it comes to red ball cricket (Test), I have to manage.
“Like, if the country is playing six Tests, I will try and play three of them.
“If we are playing 12, then I will try and play five or six of them.
“It’s just a matter of managing my workload, I think that is where I am at in my career now,” he said.
Raza is arguably one of the busiest players within the Zimbabwe Cricket set-up, especially as his reputation as a T20 specialist continues to grow.
This year alone, the 39-year-old led Zimbabwe to a Super Eight finish at the ICC T20 World Cup that was co-host by India and Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe had a fairytale run at the global showcase, beating Australia, Sri Lanka and Oman on their way to an unbeaten run in the group stages of the competition.
Their match against Ireland was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.
Their World Cup advantage sadly became undone once at the Super Eight stages, going down to the West Indies, co-hosts India and South Africa.
However, the Chevrons had already done enough to put the world on notice.
Blessing Muzarabani, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl and Raza was soon snatched by the IPL and the Pakistan Super League.
In fact, Muzarabani emerged as hot property in the aftermath of his World Cup performances, attracting interest from both the PSL and IPL.
The lanky seamer bowler inevitably chose the more lucrative Indian Premier League, signing for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Muzarabani seems to have the full support of his T20 captain.
“Everyone probably has an opinion on it, but what matters the most is what Blessing wanted,” said Raza.
“It comes down to his decision, and I fully support his decision.
“I have got no problems with that.
“If he figured that the IPL brings better opportunity for him, his future and his family, then he had every right to take it.
“I support Blessing with all his decisions, and I’m always there for him,” he said.
It was not the best of seasons for the Zimbabwe trio of Raza, Brian Bennett and Ryan Burl at this year’s Pakistan Super League.
Raza and Burl’s Lahore Qalandars missed out on the play-offs while Brian Bennett, who signed Peshawar Zalmi, did not receive much game time.
The same, lack of game-time, could be said about Blessing Muzarabani at Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, Raza believes the experience that Burl, Bennett and Muzarabani got at their respective franchises will profit them in the long run.
“The season (PSL) was okay,” said Raza.
“We (Qalanders) lost out on the playoff berth because of the run-rate but overall I thought it was okay.”
He added that, ”the Chevrons’ graph is on the up.
“The more and more guys get exposed to and play cricket, our country and our rankings will keep going higher and higher.
“Just the lessons they will get from being in different environment will go a long way into making them better cricketers.
“Benny was pretty chill.
“He was pretty grateful for the opportunity.
“He’s got a great head on his shoulder and he’s a very positive guy,” said the reigning Sports-person of the Year.
Raza was expected to fly out to the United Kingdom on Sunday, where he has signed for Worcestershire County Cricket Club and will be playing in the Vitality Blast.
The T20 competition is slated for May 26- July 18.
