Sikandar Raza declines Pakistan cricket team offer and openly humiliates them for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe all-rounder and T20I captain Sikandar Raza has made a bold statement regarding his international cricket career. Despite being born in Sialkot, Pakistan, Raza has categorically refused any opportunity to represent the nation of his birth in international cricket.

He is now one of the prominent figures in white-ball cricket across the world. Raza has also earned a stellar reputation in major T20 leagues around the world for his explosive lower-order batting, crucial wicket-taking skills, and exceptional fielding prowess.

Sikandar Raza declines the Pakistan cricket team's opportunity

During a recent Q&A session with his fans on social media, speculation arose about whether Raza would consider playing for Pakistan, a move that could address the team's middle-order woes. However, the star all-rounder has instantly dismissed these suggestions, reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to Zimbabwe.

He expressed that although he was born in Pakistan, his cricketing journey and identity are firmly rooted in Zimbabwe. Since making his debut for Zimbabwe in 2013, Raza has been a cornerstone of the team and is committed to honoring the trust and support shown by the Chevrons.

In response to a user named Umar Farooq Kalson, Raza made it clear that Zimbabwe remains his top priority and he is dedicated to repaying the team's faith by remaining a loyal player for them.

Notably, Raza has recently led Zimbabwe in the five-match T20I series against India, though they could win just one game. But Raza was their top performer in the home T20I series against Team India.

Zim is mine and am theirs fully: Sikandar Raza

Well, Umar Farooq Kalson asked the Zimbabwe skipper during his Q&A session on X: “Have you ever thought about playing for Pakistan? You could help resolve the middle-order batting woes.” To which the star all-rounder’s absolute gold response went viral across social media platforms, winning hearts with his loyalty to Zimbabwe cricket.

Sikandar Raza replied by saying, “I am a born Pakistani and a product of Zimbabwe Cricket. I will only and ever represent Zimbabwe. I spent time and money on me, and I am only trying to repay their faith, and whatever I achieve will never even get close to repaying it. Zim is mine and am theirs fully.”

I am a born Pakistani and a product of Zimbabwe Cricket

I will only and ever represent Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

🇿🇼 spent time and money on me and I am only trying to repay their faith and whatever I achieve will never even get close to repaying it

Zim is mine and am theirs fully h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->J<!---->o<!---->d<!---->5<!---->v<!---->E<!---->X<!---->m<!---->u<!---->M

— Sikandar Raza (@SRazaB24) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Highlights of Sikandar Raza's journey

Notably, since making his international cricket debut, Sikandar Raza has represented Zimbabwe in 17 Test matches, 142 ODIs, and 91 T20Is so far. The 38-year-old has amassed over 1100 Test runs, over 4,000 runs in ODIs, and more than 2,000 runs in T20Is for the Zimbabwe cricket team.

As an off-spinner, Raza has also taken 34 wickets in Tests, 88 in ODIs, and 66 in T20Is. At the age of 11 years, he wanted to become a fighter pilot. He successfully passed the entrance exam and secured a spot in an Air Force college, earning one of the 60 positions available out of 60,000 applicants.

However, in his third year, Raza failed an eye test, and it shattered his dream of becoming a pilot. But he was destined to become a cricketer, and his journey began as a semi-professional cricketer, having gotten admission at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, and then shifted to Zimbabwe and made his first-class debut in 2007.