ZIMBABWE captain Sikandar Raza has stressed the importance of taking one game at a time as the Chevrons prepare for a demanding ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group that includes Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Oman. Zimbabwe return to the global stage after missing the last T20 World Cup and have been drawn into what many regard as one of the tournament’s toughest pools, featuring four Test-playing nations — including the Chevrons — namely 2021 champions Australia, hosts Sri Lanka, Ireland, alongside Oman. Speaking during a media briefing ahead of the tournament in Colombo on Thursday, Raza said Zimbabwe’s preparations have been thorough, with the team spending a week-long training camp in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, to acclimatise to conditions similar to those they will encounter during the competition.
“When it comes to preparation, we were in Hambantota for a week, so we had a really good camp,” said Raza. “I want to thank Sri Lanka Cricket for hosting us and giving us the facilities to prepare well in these conditions.” Despite the presence of heavyweight opponents in the group, the Zimbabwe skipper made it clear that his side is not looking too far ahead, choosing instead to focus solely on their opening match against Oman. “Regarding the plans, the first challenge is Oman,” Raza said.
“All my energy in my head is at that game. I do not want to think about too many games. We have got one game to win, which is Oman, and all my focus is on that game.
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“Inshallah, we cross that line, and then we worry about the other teams.” Raza was also asked how his academic background as a qualified software engineer has influenced his approach to modern cricket, particularly in analysing statistics and match-ups. “Certainly, education helps,” he said. “Especially being a software engineer, all those numbers in my head, I can store them and try to use them to our advantage.
Coming from the software and computing field, I do not mind playing with the numbers.” Looking ahead to Zimbabwe’s clash against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Raza highlighted both the competitive edge and personal relationships that exist between players from the two nations, many of whom have shared dressing rooms in franchise cricket. “The beauty of cricket is that it has brought a lot of countries closer,” he said.
“There is no secret that myself and a lot of the Sri Lankans have grown really close because we have played a lot together. But all that brotherhood is off the park.” Raza said national pride takes precedence once players cross the boundary. “Once we put on our national jerseys, he is out there to win for his country and I am out there to win for my country. The brotherhood remains, but our real brothers are the ones who stand with us when we go on to the park.” The Zimbabwe captain also expressed delight at the return of experienced all-rounder Graeme Cremer, whose inclusion has bolstered the Chevrons’ bowling options.
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