Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who turned 40 this year, says playing a home ODI World Cup in 2027 before retiring would be 'certainly a blessing', and rules out any comeback in the expanded World Test Championship.
Sikandar Raza turned 40 this year, and the end of his career is no longer a distant thought. The Zimbabwe captain says he would count it as "certainly a blessing ... from personal point of view" to play a home ODI World Cup before he retires. Zimbabwe co-host the 2027 tournament with South Africa and Namibia.
| At a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain, turned 40 this year |
| Where he spoke | Launch of the mobile cricket game SIXR, Tuesday 13 October 2026 |
| Tournament | 2027 ODI World Cup, co-hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia |
| Zimbabwe venues | Harare, Bulawayo and the new Victoria Falls stadium (Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium) |
| Format | Raza backed the new 'Super Seven idea' |
| Test cricket | Ruled out coming back to play in an expanded 12-team World Test Championship |
A swansong on home soil
Raza framed the World Cup in personal terms. Coming to the end of his career, he said, a home tournament before retiring would be "certainly a blessing". Zimbabwe play all their league matches at home, in Harare, Bulawayo and the new Victoria Falls venue.
Home advantage, with a catch
Raza said Zimbabwe will try to take "fair advantage" of playing at home. The catch is that at ICC events, the ICC controls the curators and the conditions, so the hosts will not be preparing surfaces to suit themselves.
He also said Zimbabwe Cricket has gone "up and beyond" in arranging fixtures outside the FTP, a sign of how much the board is trying to get the team ready.
Victoria Falls and the draw
The new Victoria Falls stadium is due to launch "in the next few months", with fixtures there early next year. Cricbuzz reports that Zimbabwe are in Group A with India, Pakistan, Australia and Afghanistan, with the final spot to be filled through a qualifying tournament.
No Test comeback
Asked about the expansion of the World Test Championship to 12 teams, Raza said inclusion would lift Zimbabwe's performances "in all formats". Whether he would be tempted back to play in it, he was blunt: "Would I be tempted? No, I will not be tempted." Cricbuzz reports that entry to the expanded WTC is due to be discussed at the ICC's November meeting.
Why it matters
Zimbabwe have a captain in his forties, a World Cup on home soil, and a brand-new stadium to show off. For Raza, the timing could hardly be more fitting.
The story comes from ESPNcricinfo's report by Mohammad Isam. Read the full piece on ESPNcricinfo. ESPNcricinfo.
Also reported by Cricbuzz (Atif Azam), published 14 October 2026. Cricbuzz.
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