West Indies vs Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza, the superstar in Mission Zim-possible

Mumbai—When the rain finally relented at Pallekele and Zimbabwe were confirmed as Super Eights qualifiers for the 2026 T20 World Cup, the first arms to rise belonged to captain Sikandar Raza. A handful of supporters watched the 39-year-old all-rounder punch the air with the same intensity he once reserved for rescuing lost causes with bat and ball. The moment felt light-years removed from Windhoek last November, when a silent Raza sat in the corner of a dressing room while Uganda celebrated the result that knocked Zimbabwe out of the 2024 tournament.

That failure, Zimbabwe’s second defeat in the African qualifier, has since morphed into fuel. Raza’s smile has widened with every victory in the current campaign, none more important than the 26-ball 45 that propelled the visitors past hosts Sri Lanka and into top spot in their group. Asked to open the bowling, he took the new ball to shield both the seamers and the younger spinners during the Powerplay, underscoring a captaincy style built on leading from the front.

“I think that’s what win does, it sort of lifts you, the confidence comes back and you start believing a lot more,” Raza said after Zimbabwe’s qualification was sealed by the abandoned Ireland fixture. Sitting second on the ICC T20 all-rounders list, he refused to dwell on personal milestones, preferring to highlight the squad’s collective growth. “After the Ireland game when we qualified, I could see that the boys, as much as they were hungry, were relieved by the fact that we had qualified.”

Former Zimbabwe opener Dion Ebrahim believes the team is witnessing something special. “We’re in the presence of brilliance,” Ebrahim said following last week’s win over Sri Lanka. “He’s up there with the greats.” The numbers support the praise: 2,958 runs and 103 wickets in 130 T20 internationals, many compiled in high-pressure chases or middle-overs strangleholds.

Raza’s education has never been confined to the national jersey. Stints in franchise leagues across continents—including the IPL—have broadened his tactical vocabulary, and he has made it his mission to import that knowledge to team-mates who rarely travel beyond Harare or Bulawayo. “Myself, Blessing, Ryan, Richard and all the other cricketers who have gone overseas for franchise cricket, we have always come back and spoken to the boys,” he explained. “If the boy hasn’t got an experience, the least we can do is share the knowledge.”

The syllabus now moves to India, where Zimbabwe open their Super Eights programme against West Indies on Monday. Only a handful of the current squad have played competitive cricket in Indian conditions, but Raza rejects inexperience as a potential alibi. “Regardless of how the result goes, I don’t think it will be because we couldn’t adjust to conditions,” he insisted.

Mission Zim-possible, as the captain has nicknamed the campaign, has already surpassed external expectations. Yet for Raza—older, fitter and apparently ageless—the job is only half done. West Indies await, and with them another chance to prove that Zimbabwe’s renaissance is more than a fleeting shower in a tournament where every over can turn into a storm.