ZIMBABWE Cricket capped a landmark year by winning National Sports Association of the Year, while all-rounder Sikandar Raza took home both Sportsman of the Year and Sportsperson of the Year at the Zimbabwe Annual National Sports Awards (Ansa) on Friday night.
The double recognition comes on the back of Zimbabwe’s return to the global stage, highlighted by qualification for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and a series of competitive performances against top-tier nations.
Zimbabwe's senior men's team, led by skipper Raza, reached the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup staged in India and Sri Lanka for the first time in February.
Accepting the award on behalf of ZC, official Lovemore Banda said the honour was more than trophies.
“It means a lot to us and to all those who have entrusted us with their children, with their money, with their other resources, with their hopes and expectations,” Banda said.
“And we hope that we can continue to plough on this path and to become even stronger as we go along and offer opportunity. There is no greater present that we can give to Zimbabwe than opportunity. Opportunity for everybody to play cricket.”
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Raza’s recognition reflects his status as the face of Zimbabwe cricket over the last two years. The 39-year-old has been Zimbabwe’s most consistent performer in T20I cricket, leading from the front with both bat and ball and earning global recognition in franchise leagues.
Zimbabwe’s qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup marked the first time the Chevrons featured at a global ICC event since 2022. The run to qualification included key wins in the Africa Qualifier, with Raza playing a central role.
For ZC, the award signals a shift in perception since the coming on board of chairperson Tavengwa Mukuhlani and Givemore Makoni, the association’s managing director. The association has pushed grassroots expansion, women’s cricket, and high-performance programs as part of its rebuild.