Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza is relishing the prospect of representing his country at the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. With the tournament potentially taking place towards the final stages of his international career, Raza considers the opportunity to play a World Cup at home particularly special.
Zimbabwe will host their league-stage matches in Harare, Bulawayo and the newly constructed Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls. The tournament will offer the country an opportunity to showcase its cricketing culture, natural beauty and hospitality to a global audience.
Speaking at the launch of the mobile cricket game SIXR on Tuesday, Raza said that playing a home World Cup before retirement was a dream opportunity.
“Every cricketer dreams of having retired or to retire after a World Cup,” Raza said. “The fact that I am coming to the end of my career as well, so to have an opportunity to play a home World Cup is certainly a blessing for me from a personal point of view.”
The Zimbabwe skipper also emphasised the importance of the tournament beyond cricket, expressing his excitement about introducing international fans to the country’s unique attractions.
“From a collective point of view, I do think the world really needs to see what Africa has to offer — the beauty, the crowd, and the vibe and everything that we have to offer in Zimbabwe, especially,” he added. “The world deserves to see it. For people who will find time to travel to Zimbabwe to watch the World Cup, it will be an unforgettable experience.”
Raza Backs 2027 World Cup Format
Raza also voiced his support for the proposed tournament structure, which will see teams compete in an initial round before the leading sides progress through the group stage, followed by the Super Seven and knockout rounds.
The Zimbabwe captain believes the format will reward teams that perform well by giving them more opportunities to compete on the biggest stage.
“I quite like the Super Seven idea. I think the teams that play well deserve to have more games at the World Cup,” he said.
Raza praised Zimbabwe Cricket for arranging additional international fixtures to help the national team prepare for major tournaments. He noted that the board had worked beyond its Future Tours Programme (FTP) commitments to provide players with more competitive opportunities.
According to Raza, regular international cricket will be crucial to ensuring Zimbabwe are adequately prepared for the challenges of the 2027 World Cup.
Victoria Falls Stadium Set to Attract Global Attention
The addition of the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls is expected to be one of the major attractions of the tournament. The venue will combine international cricket with the scenic appeal of one of Africa’s most famous destinations.
Raza acknowledged that gaining a home advantage at an ICC event could be difficult because the International Cricket Council exercises significant control over tournament operations and pitch preparations.
“We will try our best to gain some home advantage, but for ICC events it's very difficult because the curators — ICC is basically in control of everything,” he said.
“ But yes, we will try and take some advantage where we can — fair advantage that is.”
Raza also welcomed the stadium’s upcoming launch and expressed hope that Zimbabwe would have opportunities to play there before the World Cup.
Beyond the cricket itself, he believes Victoria Falls will offer visiting supporters a memorable experience through its natural scenery, peaceful surroundings and welcoming atmosphere.
“What we expect from Victoria Falls, as much as cricket is important, but I think outside cricket, beautiful sightings, a peaceful sleep because you can hear the falls, a lovely sunset, and some great human beings and a hospitable environment for everyone,” Raza said.
Raza Backs Zimbabwe’s Potential WTC Inclusion
The Zimbabwe captain also expressed strong support for the possibility of expanding the World Test Championship (WTC) to include 12 teams.
Such a change could open the door for Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland to become part of the competition, offering them more opportunities to play Test cricket against leading international sides.
Raza believes Zimbabwe’s inclusion would significantly contribute to the country’s long-term development, regardless of its initial results.
“If that happens, I will be the first guy who will be in support of that,” he said. “If Zimbabwe is part of WTC — whether we are able to do well at the start or not — one thing I do know is that our cricketing growth will go up. Our performances will get better in all formats.”
For Raza, the prospect of Zimbabwe becoming part of the WTC represents an important step towards strengthening the country’s international standing and improving the competitiveness of its players.
Raza Rules Out Reversing Retirement Decision
Despite his enthusiasm for Zimbabwe’s future, Raza made it clear that he would not reconsider his retirement once he decides to step away from international cricket.
Asked whether the prospect of Zimbabwe entering the World Test Championship could tempt him to return, the all-rounder firmly dismissed the possibility.
“Would I be tempted? No, I will not be tempted. I have come to peace with the decisions that I am making in life,” he said.
“I will not be a guy who, when the time comes, will call it off and then says, ‘I'm taking my retirement back.’ It will not happen, that's not me.”
His comments suggest that Raza is determined to finish his career on his own terms, with the 2027 ODI World Cup potentially providing a fitting occasion to represent Zimbabwe on home soil.
Raza Joins SIXR as Brand Ambassador
Away from international cricket, Raza is among more than 20 international cricketers who have signed up as brand ambassadors for SIXR, a mobile cricket gaming platform.
The list includes prominent names such as KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi and Eoin Morgan, with the platform allowing fans to compete against cricket stars through its gaming application and programme.
For now, however, Raza’s focus remains on Zimbabwe’s cricketing ambitions and the opportunity to be part of a historic home World Cup. With the 2027 tournament approaching, the veteran captain hopes the event will leave a lasting legacy for Zimbabwean cricket and deliver an unforgettable experience for supporters from around the world.