Sikandar Raza, who broke Virat Kohli’s record, is enjoying winning matches for Zimbabwe [Exclusive]

That of Zimbabwe Sikandar Raza was recently involved in an exclusive conversation with CricTracker. He spoke at length on various topics including his mentality that has him consistently performing at the highest level, the entire PSL 2025 final experience, breaking a great Virat Kohli record and more. Raza was also honest about admitting the list of bowlers who have troubled him throughout his career.

Raza has been a stalwart of Zimbabwean cricket over the years. He has made contributions in both departments and on the field to help Zimbabwe flourishing in bilateral series and on the world stage. So far, he has scored 8498 runs and collected 230 wickets for his country in the 294 matches played. Raza has also been a crucial part of many franchises around the world while playing in renowned T20 tournaments.

Excerpts from the interview:

Ranked No. 1 ODI all-rounder at the age of 39, what is your mentality when you hear that, and how do you continue to perform at that level?

It was a very blessed, very humbling and very rewarding message. How do I continue to perform? I think the hunger and desire to play this beautiful sport and the hunger and desire to continue to do well for Zimbabwe has never left me.

No matter what people say or think about age, I think once the hunger is there, I always use that quote that my will to succeed must be much greater than the fear of failure. So because of those little things I kept working hard, and it’s nice to be rewarded for that.

The PSL 2025 final: Landing just 10 minutes before the toss and still scoring the winning runs – how did you mentally prepare for such a moment?

I don’t think I’m mentally or physically prepared for that. It was just pure heart and emotions. Lahore is taking very good care of us. The relationship I have with the guys, the relationship I have with the owner, the management is just pure in every sense of the word.

Once I got the call from the owner, I was willing to risk everything for the team, especially during the finals. So I didn’t really think about preparing for it mentally and physically. It was just pure heart.

You recently broke Virat Kohli’s record for most Player of the Match awards in T20Is. What does that achievement mean to you?

Winning the Player of the Match means that Zimbabwe has won the match. So I don’t compare myself or look at who has how many records or who has how many matches. Just the sheer joy of winning the match for Zimbabwe is unmatchable for me.

If winning games for Zimbabwe has ultimately broken a few records, then Alhamdulillah. But just winning the match for Zimbabwe, there are no emotions, there are no words, there is nothing that can be described.

What is your first memory of bowling for Virat Kohli?

My first memory of bowling for Virat would be the 2015 World Cup in Australia and I think we were playing in New Zealand; that’s my first memory.

Who do you compare yourself to among international all-rounders from the past and present?

I don’t compare myself to anyone. I think if you speak to most cricketers they will probably give the same answer. We have our own paths. That’s how I feel anyway. I have my own path. I have my own journey. All I’m focusing on is how I continue with my journey and my path.

But one thing I would like to say is that the cricketers have been there for a long time, but we have not been there for a long time and we have not seen many all-rounders. But an all-rounder who I think was and still is unmatchable, and you never know what will happen in the future, was probably Jacques Kallis.

Which bowler has given you the most trouble internationally, and why?

At different stages of my career, several bowlers have harassed me. Various circumstances have made it more difficult. There are simply too many to mention. Josh Hazlewood in Australia was tough to face. Saeed Ajmal was tough in a Test match in Harare. Rangana Herath in Sri Lanka was extremely difficult to face. Shakib in Bangladesh. Nuwan Pradeep in Harare, Chameera.

There are too many. At different stages of my life there are always bowlers who cause problems. Kemar Roach was difficult to beat in a test match with a reverse swing. Harare’s Suranga Lakmal was tough to beat in a Test match. There have been far too many to mention.

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