Skipper Sikandar Raza feels that the upcoming <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/after-mustafizur-rahmans-release-from-ipl-bcb-wants-icc-to-move-teams-t20-world-cup-games-out-of-india-23610622" rel="nofollow">T20 World Cup 2026</a> is the perfect opportunity for Zimbabwe to regain its presence on the cricketing map.
Zimbabwe has been placed in Group B along with Australia, Ireland, Oman, and Sri Lanka.
"The World Cup is really crucial in every cricketer's life. I always think for Zimbabwe to gain more respect in world cricket, World Cups play a huge part," said Raza.
He added that the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/zimbabwe-brendan-taylor-on-verge-of-completing-10000-runs-as-he-returns-to-international-cricket-106783" rel="nofollow">Zimbabwe</a> team will focus on displaying a good brand of cricket and make their countrymen proud.
"So, we have the mindset to go there and try and do really well so that we can come back with our heads held high, and so that our people back home can have their heads high as well. Results are not in our hands and we don't worry about it too much. As long as we're playing a good brand of cricket and doing exactly what the game asks us to do, we'll have the result," stated Raza.
Zimbabwe will play their group stage matches in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/sri-lanka-women-record-first-win-over-india-in-seven-years-23535284" rel="nofollow">Sri Lanka</a>, where the pitches are expected to provide help to the spinners. Raza is confident that his team has the likes of spinners who can make the most out of the opportunities.
"If the wickets turned out to be that (spin-friendly), then I think we have enough harmony in ourselves to have more hours of spin if we need," said the 39-year-old cricketer.
Zimbabwe will open their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Oman on February 9. The match is scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka.
Despite being the most recognisable face of Zimbabwe <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/harbhajan-singh-reacts-to-bcb-request-to-move-bangladesh-t20-world-cup-2026-matches-out-of-india-23610674" rel="nofollow">cricket</a>, Raza wanted to remain a silent catalyst of change in his country's cricketing fortunes.
"To be honest with you, when cricket is done, I try to stay away from the limelight, from people. I just try to stay indoors. I don't like to hear or speak about myself, but if the conversations are happening, I feel very blessed. But having said that, hopefully, my actions will inspire (people) rather than hearing about what people think of me. All I'm looking at is trying to keep doing the things I'm doing to the best of my ability and, hopefully, my performances can inspire the other Sikandars in Zimbabwe and all over the world," he added.
(With PTI Inputs)

Zimbabwe will open their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Oman on February 9. The match is scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground

'Zimbabwe to gain more respect in world cricket, World Cups play a huge part': Sikandar Raza

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Zimbabwe will open their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Oman on February 9. The match is scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka

T20 World Cup 2026: Sikandar Raza sees tournament as huge opportunity to put Zimbabwe again on cricketing map

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Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / T20 World Cup 2026: Sikandar Raza sees tournament as huge opportunity to put Zimbabwe again on cricketing map