Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s premier all-rounder, leads the national T20I side and holds key batting records. A Pakistani-born Muslim, he transitioned from pilot aspirations to cricket stardom.
Sikandar Raza stands as a prominent Zimbabwean cricketer, donning the national colors with pride. Initially from Pakistan, he relocated to Zimbabwe and launched his professional cricket journey there. Renowned as a versatile all-rounder, Raza excels with right-handed batting and off-spin bowling. His steady contributions have cemented his status as a vital member of Zimbabwe’s cricket team. Presently, he captains Zimbabwe in T20 International matches, steering the team toward noticeable progress. Raza etched his name in cricket history by achieving a landmark feat—becoming the first Zimbabwean to notch a century in T20I cricket, a milestone that underscores his impact. As of 2025, Sikandar Raza is 39 years old and had his early education at the Pakistan Air Force Public School in Lower Topa. His childhood ambition was to become a fighter pilot, yet he faced rejection during a vision screening, dashing those plans. In 2002, Raza and his family relocated to Zimbabwe. Hailing from a Kashmiri Muslim family that speaks Punjabi, Raza practices Islam. Though born in Pakistan, his family later settled in Zimbabwe. Coming from a devout Muslim household, he adheres to his faith sincerely. Family support was instrumental in shaping his success. Born on 24 April 1986 in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan, Raza later enrolled in software engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, where he also participated in semi-professional cricket. It was during this period that he discovered his aptitude for cricket. His father, Tasadaq Hussian Raza, runs a motor parts business but played a pivotal role in backing Raza’s move to Zimbabwe to pursue cricket. Tasadaq and his brothers shared a passion for cricket in Pakistan, though none reached elite levels. Sikandar Raza wears jersey number 24 for Zimbabwe across all formats—Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is. This consistent number is visible on his uniform, making him instantly recognisable to fans. The number reflects his reliability and integral role in the team. Sikandar Raza is married to Laila Khan. He maintains a low profile regarding his personal life, with minimal public exposure of his spouse on social media, reflecting his preference for privacy. His focus remains squarely on his cricketing career. His earnings come from match fees, league contracts, and sponsorship agreements, which collectively boost his net worth. As of the most recent assessment, Sikandar Raza’s net worth is estimated at around ₹37 Crore. Sikandar Raza debuted for Zimbabwe in 2013, starting with an ODI appearance against Bangladesh on 3 May 2013. His T20I debut followed shortly on 11 May 2013, also against Bangladesh. Later that year, on 3 September 2013, he played his first Test match, again against Pakistan. Since then, he has been a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s cricket across formats and recently surpassed all Zimbabwean players in appearances at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In Test cricket, Raza has featured in 22 matches, accumulating 1,434 runs at an average of 34.14, with a top score of 127 runs. He includes 1 century and 11 half-centuries in his Test record. In ODIs, he has played 153 games, amassing 4,476 runs at an average of 36.99, featuring 7 centuries and 24 half-centuries, often delivering strong boundaries. Turning to T20I cricket, he has played 127 matches, compiling 2,883 runs at an average of 25.74, highlighted by 1 century and 16 half-centuries. Raza has participated in several T20 leagues globally, scoring 687 runs in ILT20 and 591 runs in the PSL. His involvement also spans the IPL, CPL, BPL, and other leagues, consistently demonstrating high-level performances. His peak performance came in the Vitality Blast, where he averaged 41.20 across eight innings. Throughout his career, Sikandar Raza has reached multiple significant milestones. In 2017, he played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s unprecedented series victory over Sri Lanka. In 2018, he earned the Player of the Tournament accolade in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. His momentum continued in 2022, winning the Player of the Series award in the ODI series against Bangladesh and becoming the first Zimbabwean to record three ODI centuries while chasing targets. In 2023, he set a new national record by smashing the quickest ODI century for Zimbabwe, reaching 102 off 54 deliveries. In 2024, he created another record with a T20I century, hammering 133* against Gambia. What is Sikandar Raza’s IPL salary? Sikandar Raza was acquired by Punjab Kings in the IPL 2023 auction for ₹50 Lakhs. What is Sikandar Raza’s current net worth? As of 2025, his estimated net worth is approximately $5 million USD. Which IPL team does Sikandar Raza play for? Sikandar Raza represented Punjab Kings in both 2023 and 2024 seasons. He is affectionately referred to as “Raza” by fans and teammates. He is married, and his wife’s name is Laila Khan. All visuals used are for editorial purposes only and are licensed exclusively through Getty/Source.