Sikandar Raza destroys Zimbabwe coach’s career over shocking racial abuse

Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza has filed a formal complaint with the Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association (HMCA) after being racially abused by local coach Blessing Mafuwa during a Vigne Cup match. In response to the allegations, the HMCA has suspended Mafuwa from all activities.

Sikandar Raza represented Old Hararians in a Vigne Cup fixture against Rainbow Cricket Club at the Old Hararians Sports Club. Raza scored 78 runs off 56 balls as his team posted a total of 402/9 in 50 overs. Rainbow Cricket Club managed 225 for 8 in 39 overs, losing by 142 runs via the DLS method.

Blessing Mafuwa Suspended Following Sikandar Raza’s Complaint of Racial Abuse

Sikandar Raza accused Rainbow Cricket Club coach Blessing Mafuwa of making racially offensive remarks when he was leaving the field. Raza did not name Mafuwa in his complaint, but the HMCA confirmed that the coach is being investigated in connection with the incident.

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HMCA chairperson Tafadzwa Madoro stated that a report had been received and that Mafuwa has been suspended from all HMCA activities. Madoro said that the association takes racism allegations seriously and is committed to conducting a quick investigation.

“We received a report of racial abuse that our T20 captain [Raza] suffered last week. We are in the process of investigating. Blessing Mafuwa will attend a hearing this coming Tuesday. He will answer charges from the report. In the interim, he is suspended from all activities in the HMCA," Madoro told ESPNcricinfo.

“We don’t take racism allegations lightly. We don’t condone any racial abuse in HMCA. We will want to investigate this as quickly as possible."

Stuff Like This Should Never Happen Again - Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza called for a thorough investigation after being racially abused by a local coach during a domestic match. Raza said that the incident occurred as he was walking off the field following his innings, with the offensive remarks reportedly made in front of both players and spectators.

Raza urged cricket authorities to take decisive action. He stated that if the coach is found guilty, appropriate punishment must be handed out to prevent such behaviour from recurring in the future.

“If found guilty, an example should be made out of him so that stuff like this never happens again to this and future generations," Raza said.

Sikandar Raza Shines with Stellar Performances in 2025

Sikandar Raza has enjoyed a stellar run in 2025, playing a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars' Pakistan Super League (PSL) title win by scoring the winning runs in a nail-biting final in Lahore. This was his second T20 franchise championship of the year, having also clinched the ILT20 title.

Raza amassed 254 runs in 11 PSL games at an impressive strike rate of 169.33, including two half-centuries, and also picked up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.75.

The 39-year-old has played 19 Tests, 151 ODIs, and 105 T20Is, scoring 1,353, 4,325, and 2,403 runs, respectively. With the ball, he has taken 39 wickets in Tests, 93 in ODIs, and 81 in T20Is. Raza is also one of only three Zimbabwean cricketers to have played in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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