Sikandar Raza Butt, born on April 24, 1986, is a Pakistani-born cricketer who has made a significant mark on the Zimbabwean national cricket team. Representing Zimbabwe in all formats, Raza is a right-handed batting all-rounder, also skilled with the ball as a right-arm off-break bowler.
Raza moved to Zimbabwe from Pakistan in 2001 and showcased his talent at the domestic level. After a prolonged wait, he was granted Zimbabwean citizenship in 2011.
While football dominates Zimbabwe’s sporting scene, Raza has become one of the country’s most admired athletes. His rise has played a crucial role in reigniting Zimbabwe’s cricket passion. The 38-year-old is renowned for being the first cricketer to score five consecutive T20 international half-centuries and has been nominated twice consecutively for the ICC T20 International Player of the Year award.
Timeline of Key Achievements
| Year | Age | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 21 | Made his debut in first-class cricket with Northerns, Zimbabwe |
| 2011 | 25 | Became a Zimbabwean citizen |
| 2013 | 27 | Debuted for Zimbabwe in ODI, T20I, and Test matches |
| 2015 | 29 | Represented Zimbabwe in the Cricket World Cup |
| 2018 | 32 | Captained Zimbabwe in a T20I against India |
| 2022 | 36 | Played in the T20 World Cup for Zimbabwe |
| 2023 | 37 | Picked by Punjab Kings in the IPL auction |
| 2024 | 38 | Retained by Punjab Kings for the 2024 IPL season |
Records and Milestones of Sikandar Raza
- One of the five Zimbabwean players to achieve the triple of 1000 runs, 50 wickets, and 50 catches in ODIs.
- Holds the record for the highest opening partnership in ODIs for Zimbabwe (224 runs with Hamilton Masakadza against Afghanistan in 2014).
- First all-rounder to score 250+ runs and claim 5+ wickets in a 3-match ODI series.
- Scored the highest T20 World Cup score by a Zimbabwean batsman: 82 off 48 balls against Ireland in 2022.
- Only the second cricketer after Jacques Kallis to score over 80 in both innings and take a five-wicket haul in a Test match.
- Became the first Zimbabwean to score a half-century in the IPL.
- Achieved the fastest ODI century for Zimbabwe, scoring 100 off 54 balls.
Awards and Recognition
- Awarded for his contributions in the 2023 Cricket World Cup by Zimbabwe Cricket.
- Included in the ICC Men’s T20I and ODI Teams of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.
Sikandar Raza’s Domestic and International Career
Raza initially aspired to be a fighter pilot but turned to cricket after an eye test caused him to abandon his Air Force career. During his studies at Glasgow Caledonian University, he began playing semi-professional domestic cricket, realizing his potential in the sport.
He made his debut in List A cricket for Northerns in 2007, before switching to Mashonaland Eagles, where he continued to hone his skills. His breakthrough moment came during the 2010 Domestic T20 Competition, where he became the leading run-scorer.
Raza later represented teams in various leagues, including the Bangladesh Premier League (Chittagong Vikings), and the Pakistan Super League (Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings).
IPL Career
Sikandar Raza made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023 with the Punjab Kings. Over the course of his IPL career, he has played 9 matches, scoring a total of 182 runs with an average of 26, including his highest score of 57. In the 2024 IPL season, he was retained by the Punjab Kings for a fee of INR 50 Lakhs.
Sikandar Raza in International Cricket
- ODI Career: Raza’s ODI debut came in 2013 against Bangladesh. He gained recognition for his all-round performances, especially in Zimbabwe’s historic 3-2 series win against Sri Lanka in 2013, where he took 3 wickets for 21 runs in a match-deciding performance.
- Test Career: Raza made his Test debut against Pakistan in September 2013, scoring a respectable 60 runs in the first match. He followed this with impressive performances, including a career-defining 127 runs against Sri Lanka in 2013 and a maiden five-wicket haul in the Test series against West Indies.
- T20I Career: Raza made his T20I debut in 2013 and has since been an indispensable part of Zimbabwe’s T20I lineup. In 2022, he played a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup campaign, with standout performances including his match-winning knock of 82 runs against Ireland.
Captaincy and Leadership
Sikandar Raza has also been entrusted with captaincy roles. He will lead Zimbabwe’s T20I team in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He served as the stand-in captain for Zimbabwe during their 2015 T20I series against India and has captained Mashonaland Eagles in domestic cricket.
Personal Life and Background
Sikandar Raza was born in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan, to a Kashmiri family. His father is Tasadaq Hussain Raza. His early life was rooted in cricket, and his journey to becoming an international player for Zimbabwe is a testament to his dedication and resilience.
Sikandar Raza Net Worth and Assets
Sikandar Raza’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million USD, reflecting his successful cricket career and endorsements. However, details regarding his house and car collection remain private.
FAQs
- Is Sikandar Raza originally from Pakistan?
Yes, Sikandar Raza was born in Pakistan before moving to Zimbabwe, where he gained citizenship and made his cricketing career. - Has Sikandar Raza played in the IPL?
Yes, Raza made his IPL debut in 2023 with the Punjab Kings and was retained for the 2024 season. - What is Sikandar Raza’s IPL contract worth?
Sikandar Raza was bought by Punjab Kings for INR 50 Lakhs in the 2024 IPL auction. - Is Sikandar Raza Punjabi?
Yes, Sikandar Raza belongs to a Kashmiri Punjabi family. - Will Sikandar Raza play in the IPL 2024?
Yes, Sikandar Raza will play for the Punjab Kings in the 2024 IPL season.