'Would I be tempted?' Raza breaks silence on retirement U-turn if Zimbabwe enters WTC
Zimbabwean cricket captain Sikandar Raza has confirmed he will retire after the 2027 ODI World Cup, regardless of whether Zimbabwe qualifies for the World Test Championship. He believes that participating in the WTC would significantly accelerate the growth of Zimbabwean cricket.
Why it matters
Raza's decision highlights the challenges faced by smaller cricketing nations in balancing career longevity with the development of national sports programs.
Zimbabwe's ODI and T20I captain Sikandar Raza has made it clear that his country's possible entry into the World Test Championship (WTC) for the 2027-30 cycle will not change his plan to retire after next year's 50-over World Cup in Africa.Zimbabwe will co-host the 2027 ODI World Cup with South Africa and Namibia. For the 40-year-old all-rounder, the tournament will offer an opportunity to play a World Cup on home soil towards the end of his career.“The fact that I am coming to the end of my career as well, and to have an opportunity to play a home World Cup is certainly a blessing for me from a personal point of view,” Raza said, as quoted by news agency PTI.“Every cricketer dreams of having retired or to retire after playing a cricketing World Cup,” he added.When asked whether Zimbabwe's potential entry into the WTC during the 2027-30 cycle could…
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