Raza crowned Zimbabwe’s finest after stellar year

Zimbabwe cricket star Sikandar Raza added another major accolade to his decorated career after being named the 2025 Sportsperson of the Year at the Annual National Sports Awards held in Harare. The Chevrons captain also scooped the Sportsman of the Year award, capping off a memorable evening for one of Zimbabwe’s greatest modern-day athletes.

Raza’s triumph comes after another outstanding year in Zimbabwe colours, where he continued to lead from the front with both bat and ball across international cricket. His consistency, leadership, and influence on the national side once again made him one of the country’s standout sporting figures.

The experienced all-rounder fought off competition from Olympic sprinter Tapiwanashe Makarawu and rising tennis star Sasha Chimedza for the top honour. Raza had already entered the awards ceremony as one of the favourites after being shortlisted in multiple categories.

Raza’s recognition comes after years of consistently carrying Zimbabwe cricket on the international stage with both bat and ball. The experienced all-rounder was once ranked as the number one ICC ODI and T20I all-rounder in the world, a feat that highlighted his dominance across formats and cemented his place among the elite names in world cricket.

The veteran cricketer also etched his name into Zimbabwean history books last year after becoming the first player from the country to surpass 5,000 T20I runs. He currently holds the record for the most T20I runs scored by a Zimbabwean, underlining his longevity and importance to the national side.

This latest recognition further strengthens Raza’s legacy in Zimbabwean sport. Over the years, he has become a symbol of resilience and excellence, inspiring a new generation of athletes through his performances on the international stage and his commitment to representing Zimbabwe with pride.