Sikandar Raza Mourns Loss of Younger Brother Ahead of T20 World Cup

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Dubai – Sikandar Raza, the T20 International captain of Zimbabwe, is mourning the loss of his younger brother, Muhammad Mahdi, who tragically passed away earlier this week at the age of 13.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) expressed their heartfelt condolences in an official statement, writing, “Zimbabwe Cricket extends its sincerest sympathies to Sikandar Raza and his family for the unexpected loss of his cherished younger brother, Muhammad Mahdi. Muhammad battled haemophilia and encountered significant health issues, ultimately leading to his death on 29 December 2025 in Harare.”

Muhammad Mahdi was laid to rest on 30 December 2025 at Warren Hills Cemetery. The ZC Board, alongside management, players, and staff, stands in solidarity with Raza during this challenging period. The statement concluded, “May Allah provide them with strength and solace, and may Muhammad Mahdi’s soul find peace.”

In the wake of this sorrowful news, Sikandar Raza took to social media to share a broken-heart emoji, conveying his deep sadness.

This personal tragedy strikes at a crucial juncture in Raza’s cricketing journey. Recently, he demonstrated his prowess while playing for Sharjah Warriorz in the ILT20 2025, amassing 171 runs and securing 10 wickets across 10 matches, further establishing his standing as a vital T20 player.

Despite facing such emotional difficulties, Raza is gearing up to lead Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to begin in February. His role as captain and key player is expected to be indispensable on this international platform.