While cricket fans in India were focusing on the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, an extraordinary moment unfolded in Zimbabwe’s T20 match against Gambia. Sikandar Raza, a Zimbabwean cricketer originally from Pakistan, smashed an incredible 133* off just 43 balls, setting a new record for the fastest century in T20 Internationals for a Test-playing nation. Raza reached his century in just 33 balls, breaking Rohit Sharma’s record of 35 balls.
Not only did Zimbabwe post a world-record score of 344 runs in 20 overs, but they also secured a massive 290-run victory, setting another world record. Raza’s innings included 15 sixes and 7 boundaries, with an impressive strike rate of 309. This extraordinary performance by the all-rounder also eclipsed South Africa’s David Miller, who held a joint record with Rohit.
A Unique Journey: From Pakistan to Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza’s journey to international cricket is as remarkable as his on-field achievements. Born on April 24, 1986, in Sialkot, Pakistan—famous for its cricket bat manufacturing—Raza had an unconventional path to success. He attended Pakistan Air Force Public School with dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. However, those dreams were cut short when he failed his vision test.
In 2002, his family moved to Zimbabwe, but Raza traveled to Scotland to pursue his higher education. He earned a degree in Software Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University. Despite his academic background, his love for cricket never faded, and he continued to play the sport while studying.
Rise to International Cricket
Raza’s potential became clear in 2006 when he scored centuries in three consecutive T20 matches in Scotland. This performance fueled his passion for cricket, and by 2007, he began focusing on becoming a professional cricketer. Although he was in Zimbabwe’s probable squad for the 2011 World Cup, he narrowly missed out on making the final 15-man team.
Sikandar Raza made his international debut for Zimbabwe in 2013 across all formats—Test, ODI, and T20. Since then, he has been an integral part of the team, representing Zimbabwe in 17 Tests, 142 ODIs, and 95 T20 Internationals. He is also the current T20 captain for Zimbabwe.
IPL Stint with Punjab Kings
Raza’s impressive performances also earned him a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023. He was signed by Punjab Kings, a team co-owned by Bollywood actress Preity Zinta. In the IPL, Raza played two matches, scoring 43 runs, showcasing his talent on one of the world’s biggest cricket stages.
Raza’s Record-Breaking Innings
The historic match against Gambia not only saw Sikandar Raza shatter Rohit Sharma’s T20 record, but it also set multiple world records for Zimbabwe. The team’s 344-run total in 20 overs became the highest ever in T20 Internationals, and their victory margin of 290 runs was the largest in history.
Though Raza’s century was the fastest for a Test-playing nation, the overall world record for the fastest T20 International century still belongs to Sahil Chauhan, who scored a hundred in just 27 balls for Estonia against Cyprus.
With his remarkable achievements on the cricket field, Sikandar Raza continues to be a key figure in Zimbabwean cricket, while his unique journey from software engineering to cricket stardom continues to inspire fans worldwide.
