Sikandar Raza Butt, born on 24th April 1986, is a remarkable all-rounder in the world of cricket. Originally hailing from Pakistan, Raza has carved out a stellar career in Zimbabwean cricket, showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball. Let’s delve into the incredible journey of this versatile cricketer.
Early Life and Journey to Zimbabwe: Born in Sialkot, Pakistan, to a Punjabi-speaking Kashmiri family, Sikandar Raza had dreams of becoming a pilot in the Pakistan Air Force. However, his aspirations were thwarted when he failed a mandatory vision test. Fate had different plans for him.
In 2002, Raza and his family made the life-altering decision to emigrate to Zimbabwe. There, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in software engineering at the Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.
Domestic and T20 Franchise Success: Raza’s cricketing journey truly began in Zimbabwe. After the revamping of Zimbabwe’s domestic cricket structure in 2009, he donned the Mashonaland Eagles’ colors in first-class cricket. His debut on 12th April 2007 marked the beginning of a successful first-class career, with a high score of 146.
Raza’s versatility extended to List A cricket, initially representing Northerns before switching to the Mashonaland Eagles. His List A debut came in 2007. In the T20 format, he made his debut for the Southern Rocks in 2010, leaving a lasting impression as the leading run-scorer in the 2010 Stanbic Bank T20 Competition.
One of his standout moments was during the Metbank Pro40 Championship Final in 2010, where Raza’s brilliant 44 for Southern Rocks secured the title. This performance caught the selectorial eye and paved the way for his international call-up.
International Stint and Milestones: Sikandar Raza’s international journey kicked off in May 2013 when he made his One Day International (ODI) debut for Zimbabwe against Bangladesh. Notably, he became the first non-residential player to represent Zimbabwe at the international level, a testament to his talent.
Raza’s performances for Zimbabwe include a stellar 82 against India during a bilateral ODI series in 2013, showcasing his batting prowess. His Test debut followed in September 2013, with a memorable innings of 60 runs on debut against Pakistan.
In November 2013, Raza made his T20I debut against Bangladesh, becoming the youngest player to score a fifty in T20Is at just above 17 years old. His maiden ODI century against Afghanistan in July 2014 remains a significant milestone.
During the 2016–17 Zimbabwe Tri-Series, Raza, along with Tendai Chisoro, set a record 9th wicket partnership for Zimbabwe in ODI cricket, adding unbeaten 91 runs.
Raza’s standout performances include guiding Zimbabwe to their first-ever ODI series win against Sri Lanka in 2017, where he played a pivotal role.
Cricket World Cup and Exceptional Performances: Sikandar Raza was part of the Zimbabwean squad for the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Although he didn’t shine with the bat, his bowling prowess earned recognition.
In 2018, he was awarded the Player of The Tournament during the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers for his remarkable all-round performance, despite Zimbabwe failing to qualify for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Raza made a statement about the ten-team World Cup, expressing frustration over excluding associate nations.
Resilience and International Return: Raza faced adversity when he suffered a bone marrow infection in April 2021. Speculations about cancer added to the uncertainty. However, his condition turned out to be normal, and he made a triumphant return to international cricket in July 2021 during a bilateral ODI series against Bangladesh.
T20 World Cup Qualifier and ODI Heroics: In July 2022, Raza played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s victory in the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier B tournament, securing a place in the T20 World Cup qualifying round.
In August 2022, he achieved remarkable feats in ODI cricket. He scored an unbeaten 135 against Bangladesh, propelling Zimbabwe to their first ODI win over Bangladesh since 2013. In the second ODI, he secured his second successive century, helping Zimbabwe win the series 2-0. His performances earned him the Player of the Series award.
Elite Centuries and Thrilling Innings: Raza’s monumental innings continued during the third ODI against India in August 2022, where he scored a breathtaking 115 off just 95 balls, narrowly missing a famous victory.
He joined an elite list of cricketers with the most ODI centuries in run chases in a single calendar year. His consistency led to three ODI centuries in successful run chases in August 2022, making him the first Zimbabwean to achieve this feat.
IPL Debut and Historic Records: In December 2022, Raza was bought by the Punjab Kings in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). He made his IPL debut, becoming the first Zimbabwean player to score a half-century in the tournament.
Conclusion: Sikandar Raza Butt’s journey from Pakistan to Zimbabwe and his rise in international cricket exemplify resilience and unwavering dedication. His ability to deliver match-winning performances with both bat and ball has made him a pivotal figure in Zimbabwean cricket. As he continues to break records and inspire with his remarkable feats, Sikandar Raza Butt remains an icon in the world of cricket.
