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A blessing to play a home World Cup before retirement, says Sikandar Raza

As the global tournament returns to African soil after a twenty-four-year gap, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza has described appearing in a home competition ahead of his impending retirement as a distinct privilege. The upcoming global showcase will feature fifty-seven matches across a dozen locations up to November 21, 2027, with Harare and Bulawayo taking group fixtures alongside a newly established facility in Victoria Falls.

The freshly built ground near the famous waterfalls is slated for inauguration shortly, hosting marquee matchups such as the contest between the host nation and India on October 24. While looking forward to the scenic surroundings and hospitable atmosphere for incoming supporters, the veteran all-rounder emphasized that strict governing body regulations mean his squad will not possess any outsized local pitch advantages during the group stage.

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