Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has called the prospect of playing the 2027 ODI World Cup on home soil — before retiring from international cricket — 'a blessing', while also expressing hope that the tournament will showcase the beauty and hospitality of Zimbabwe and the African continent to the world.

A Personal Milestone for Raza

The 40-year-old all-rounder, who is approaching the final phase of a decorated international career, described the home World Cup as something deeply personal. 'Every cricketer dreams of having retired or of retiring after a World Cup. The fact that I am coming to the end of my career as well, so to have an opportunity to play a home World Cup is certainly a blessing for me from a personal point of view,' Raza said at an event, as quoted by Cricinfo.

Zimbabwe will co-host the 2027 ODI World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia, with the Zimbabwean side scheduled to play its league-stage matches across three venues — Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls.

Showcasing Africa to the World

Beyond personal sentiment, Raza articulated a broader ambition for what the tournament could mean for the continent. 'From a collective point of view, I do think the world really needs to see what Africa has to offer — the beauty, the crowd, and the vibe and everything that we have to offer in Zimbabwe, especially. The world deserves to see it. For people who will find time to travel to Zimbabwe to watch the World Cup, it will be an unforgettable experience,' he said.

This comes amid growing recognition of African cricket's potential, with the continent hosting an ICC event of this scale for the first time in decades. The co-hosting arrangement gives Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia a rare opportunity to expand their cricket infrastructure and global profile simultaneously.

The Super Seven Format: Raza Approves

Raza also weighed in on the proposed tournament structure, which will feature a preliminary first round involving three teams, with the winner advancing to join the top 11 sides split into two groups of six. The field then progresses through a Super Seven stage before the knockout rounds begin.

'I quite like the Super Seven idea. I think the teams that play well deserve to have more games at the World Cup,' he said. The format is seen as beneficial for host nations like Zimbabwe, who may benefit from extra matches on familiar pitches.

Home Advantage and the New Stadium

Raza acknowledged the challenge of gaining a home edge at an International Cricket Council (ICC) event, given the governing body's control over playing conditions and pitch preparation. 'We will try our best to gain some home advantage, but for ICC events it's very difficult because the curators — ICC is basically in control of everything,' he said.

Nevertheless, he pointed to a significant upcoming development as a source of excitement. 'We are really excited that our new stadium will be launched in the next few months, and I do think we have fixtures there early next year as well, so we're really looking forward,' Raza added. The new facility is expected to boost Zimbabwe's capacity to host top-level international cricket ahead of the 2027 tournament.

What's Next for Zimbabwe Cricket

With the World Cup still roughly two years away, Zimbabwe's focus will be on qualification pathways for the league stage and building competitive form across formats. Raza's leadership through this period will be crucial — not just for results on the field, but for inspiring a generation of African cricketers watching the sport come home.