Sikandar Raza | Captain of Zimbabwe – Qualifying for the Super Eights was undoubtedly a significant milestone. Securing a spot in the next World Cup without going through qualifiers is a tremendous accomplishment. Despite our losses in the Super 8s, I can assure you that we have learned valuable lessons. After our first match, we improved. Following the second game, we made even more progress. These are the moments that make me proud as a captain; I see my team learning and evolving. I couldn’t have asked for more, and I am incredibly proud of the boys. As a leader, I feel a deep pride in this group because I truly believe we improved with each game. Looking ahead to the next ICC event, I hope we will be even stronger. (if he and the senior players would still be a part of this set-up) Absolutely. It may seem distant for some, but we are aware of our current situation and how we can advance. For me, the culture we have established in the team is crucial; whether we are present or not, this team should function smoothly. If Allah wills, we hope all the senior players remain fit and healthy, and we would love to contribute as well. That said, the culture and relationships we’ve fostered with fans, both at home and abroad, indicate we are on the right path, especially in terms of the hope we’ve instilled in people back home. (on the crowd support) The Chevrons have achieved something unprecedented. I believe this gives parents hope to encourage their children to pursue cricket as a primary sport, which will enhance our player pool and standards. Right now, Zimbabwe needs to focus on expanding its talent base. However, I feel that what we’ve accomplished will lead to automatic improvements. (on the roadmap to the future) I can confidently say that the Zimbabwe management, including the MD and chairman, has been actively working behind the scenes. We have three home series and one away series scheduled for 2026, with the potential for two additional tours and three A-series as well. The management has been diligently planning without revealing too much, but you can expect to see more of Zimbabwe in the future. We need to take a moment to reflect, regroup, and create a strategy for our 2027 World Cup preparations. I assure you that the management is hard at work, and you will witness Zimbabwe more frequently. Raza came in when Zimbabwe was at 28/2.
