Sikandar Raza is a Zimbabwean international cricketer known as a batting all-rounder, broadly admired for his contributions in all formats of the game. Born on April 24, 1986, in Sialkot, Pakistan, Raza once aspired to be a fighter pilot. His childhood dream ended after he failed a vision test required for air force selection. This critical moment led to a new path: after moving with his family to Zimbabwe in 2002, Raza continued a degree in software engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, and it was there that his cricketing potential came to light.
Career Highlights
Raza playing his first-class cricket in Zimbabwe since 2007 and made his international debut in ODIs against Bangladesh in 2013 after receiving Zimbabwean citizenship.
Over the years, Raza has become a crucial member of the Zimbabwe national team, also participating in international T20 leagues including the IPL (for Punjab Kings since 2023) and the ILT20.
International Career Debuts and Highlights
- ODI Debut: May 2013 vs Bangladesh
- Test Debut: 2013 vs Pakistan
- T20I Debut: 2013 vs Bangladesh
He played a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s 2017 ODI series victory in Sri Lanka, contributing with match-winning performances and securing the Player of the Match in the crucial match.
Major Achievements & Leadership
First Zimbabwean to score a T20I century
Sikandar Raza made history on October 23, 2024, by becoming the first Zimbabwean to score a century in T20 internationals, fiery an unbeaten 133 off just 43 balls against Gambia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier. Raza reached his century off only 33 deliveries, the joint second-fastest in T20I history, and he hit 15 sixes, pushing Zimbabwe to a world record total of 344/4, the highest-ever in T20I cricket.
Captained Zimbabwe in T20Is, becoming a leader both on and off the field
Sikandar Raza has cemented his role as Zimbabwe’s T20I captain, leading both with his performance and leadership. In the opening match of the 2025 home T20I tri-series against South Africa, Raza made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean T20I captain and only the third in the format’s history to achieve both 1,000 runs and 25 wickets as captain.
Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Runs | 100/50s | HS | Batting Avg |
| Test | 18 | 1,286 | 1/9 | 127 | 36.74 |
| ODI | 151 | 4,325 | 7/22 | 141 | 36.04 |
| T20 | 105 | 2,403 | 1/14 | 133 | 25.84 |
Franchise cricket: Featured in leagues worldwide, including term with Punjab Kings in the IPL, Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 and Lahore Qalandars in PSL and was named the most valuable player in the ILT20 2024 (313 runs, 13 wickets).
Also Read: Fastest Hundred in T20I Cricket History
Records and Memorable Performances
- He was named ICC Player of the month once in August 2022. He made history as the first Zimbabwean cricketer to win this award.
- Holds the Zimbabwean record for the highest 9th wicket partnership in ODIs.
- He played an important role in some of Zimbabwe’s most well-known wins in other countries, especially when they won a series in Sri Lanka.
Who is Laila Khan?
Sikandar Raza’s wife is named Laila Khan. He is married to her and they have two children together named Muhammad Eesa and Muhammad Musa. He choose to keep his family life private and away from media attention.
Net Worth
Sikandar Raza’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at around ₹37 crore (approximately $5 million USD), making him one of Zimbabwe’s richest and most successful cricketers. His wealth comes from a mix of international and franchise cricket salaries, including IPL stints with the Punjab Kings (where he earned ₹50 lakh annually in 2023 and 2024), plus brand endorsements, contracts in leagues like the PSL, and reported investments in real estate and business projects across Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and the UAE. His portfolio continues to grow, with some reports suggesting his combined wealth might slightly exceed $6 million when including these investments and ongoing commercial projects.
Raza remains tall not just as a pillar of Zimbabwean cricket but as an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world, proves that even when one dream ends, another can take flight.
