PSL Star Shares Experiences of Hospitality in India During IPL
All-Rounder Sikandar Raza Reflects on His Time in India
Zimbabwe’s all-rounder Sikandar Raza, currently representing Lahore Qalandars in the 2026 Pakistan Super League, has expressed his gratitude for the hospitality he received in India during his tenure in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Raza played for Punjab Kings during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and recalled fond memories of his time there, highlighting the warmth and respect he experienced from both his teammates and the Indian public.
Despite his accomplishments, Raza was not selected during the IPL 2025 auction and opted not to register for the subsequent bidding event. Reflecting on his relationships with his teammates, he noted, “They absolutely loved me and owned me in a way. I’m talking about my teammates. They treated me respectfully whenever we traveled around,” during a recent podcast.
Raza shared a personal story about a close friendship he developed in India, specifically mentioning a friend named Jassi who invited him to his home. He remarked on the significance of such an invitation, stating, “Home is a very private place, and such invitations are not handed out easily. I don’t know what he saw and what he thought. We became close friends and he invited me home. His grandmother continues to message me to this day, saying, ‘Beta, visit us whenever your heart desires.’”
Connections Made Beyond Cricket
In addition to his friendship with Jassi, Raza was also welcomed into the home of fellow player Arshdeep Singh. He described the experience, saying, “Then Arshdeep. He has a very beautiful, small family. I had visited his residence, met his mother, father, sister. We had food, tea. I remember them telling me, ‘Son, you keep talking. We love listening to your Punjabi.'” This exemplified the cultural exchange and friendship he experienced while in India.
Raza, born in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan, in 1986, has long been associated with Zimbabwe cricket, having moved there with his family in 2002. His early aspirations included becoming a fighter pilot, but a failed eye test redirected his ambitions towards cricket. Raza made his Zimbabwe international debut in 2013 and has since established himself as an influential player for the team.
