Sikandar Raza Commits to Play for Chitwan Rhinos in Nepal Premier League

Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza has confirmed that he will be playing for the Chitwan Rhinos in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Raza has featured in 133 T20 internationals, scoring 3,089 runs and taking 107 wickets, making him one of the few players to have surpassed both 3,000 runs and 100 wickets in this format. The third season of the NPL is scheduled to take place from Kartik 9 to Mangsir 5 in the Nepali calendar. Chitwan has retained seven players, including captain Kushal Malla.

Sikandar Raza showcased his talents in the Everest Premier League (EPL) in 2021 when he played for the Biratnagar Warriors. While part of the Biratnagar squad, captained by Paras Khadka, he delivered an outstanding innings against Chitwan Tigers, scoring 67 runs off 47 balls with seven sixes. Raza’s inclusion in the Chitwan Rhinos team is expected to add significant depth through his international experience and all-round capabilities.

Raza holds rare achievements in T20 international cricket. His batting average stands at 26.62 with a strike rate of 136.92, while his bowling average is 23.54 with an economy rate of 6.88. At the 2026 T20 World Cup, he was a standout performer, scoring 206 runs in six matches. Previously, the Chitwan Rhinos finished fourth in the inaugural NPL season, but in the second edition, they managed to win only two out of seven matches. For the upcoming season, the team is preparing to strengthen its lineup both with a solid base of domestic players and competitive foreign recruits.