Sikandar Raza closes the door on his way out of the spin, despite Zimbabwe’s WTC hopes

Zimbabwe ODI and T20I captain Sikandar Raza has insisted the country’s potential entry into the World Test Championship (WTC) for the 2027-30 cycle will not change his decision to retire after next year’s ODI World Cup in Africa.

Zimbabwe will co-host ICC action with South Africa and Namibiaallowing the 40-year-old all-rounder to end his international career at the home World Cup.

“The fact that I am also nearing the end of my career and having the opportunity to play the World Cup at home is definitely a blessing for me personally,” Raza said during a media interaction organized by mobile gaming platform Sixer Cricket.

“Every cricketer dreams of retiring or retiring after playing the Cricket World Cup,” he added.

Asked if Zimbabwe’s potential inclusion in the WTC would tempt him to reconsider his retirement plans, Raza ruled out a change of heart.

“Would I be tempted? No, I won’t be. I’ve come to terms with the choices I make in life.”

“I’m not going to be a guy who, when the time comes, calls it off and then says, ‘I’m taking my pension back.’ That won’t happen. That’s not me,” he said.

“WTC WILL HELP ZIMBABWE GROW”

Despite his plans to retire, Raza believes joining the WTC could greatly accelerate Zimbabwe’s development as a cricketing nation.

“If it happens, I will be the first person to support it. If Zimbabwe is part of the WTC, we may not do well in the beginning, but one thing I know is that our cricket growth will eventually – no eventually, quickly – go up. Our performances will improve, and not just in Test cricket,” he said.

The all-rounder also credited the longest format with playing a significant role in his development despite appearing in relatively few Tests.

“A lot of my cricketing development that the world has seen has come through Test cricket. I’ve played I think eight to nine Test matches before that. I know I’ve only got 15 or 16 Test matches in total.”

“But I also played a lot of Test cricket in the early years of my career and my development in cricket was through Test cricket,” he said.

Raza acknowledged that Zimbabwe and its co-hosts may struggle to secure home advantage in the 2027 ODI World Cup, with tournament operations overseen by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“We will try our best to get some home advantage but it is very difficult for ICC events because ICC controls everything.

“But yes, we will try to take some advantage where possible. A good advantage, that is,” he said.

Zimbabwe vs India match on 24 October 2027will also mark the first World Cup match at the newly built Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls.

Raza expressed his excitement about the upcoming launch of the event and the prospect of hosting international cricket.

“We’re really excited that our new stadium will be up and running in the next few months. I think we’ve got the equipment there early next year as well. So we’re really looking forward to it,” he said.

He also highlighted the attractions that Victoria Falls could offer to visiting players and non-cricket supporters.

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