THE first in Cricket Africa’s countdown series on what the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup means to the players of its three host nations.
Sikandar Raza has waited 14 years in international cricket for this.
When the World Cup returns to Africa next year, the Zimbabwe all-rounder will play in front of a home crowd for the first time at the tournament.
“What excites me is the fact that I will finally be playing a home World Cup. It’s a great privilege, a great honour to play a home World Cup and to play in front of our own fans,” Raza said, in comments shared by the ICC via Zimbabwe Cricket.
The word “finally” reflects Zimbabwe’s recent history with the tournament. The Chevrons failed to qualify for the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, and both qualifying tournaments were staged in Zimbabwe. Raza, who made his international debut in 2013, last played at a World Cup in 2015.
The 2027 edition, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will be the second World Cup played on African soil. The first was in 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya shared hosting duties.
Kenya reached the semi-finals. Namibia also made their only World Cup appearance to date in 2003.
The 2027 tournament runs from October 2 to November 21 across 12 venues. South Africa stage 41 matches across eight venues, Zimbabwe 10 matches in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, and Namibia six matches in Windhoek.
The three host nations arrive at the tournament by different routes.
South Africa qualified automatically as hosts and an ICC Full Member. They are in Group B with Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Qualifier B and open against New Zealand in Cape Town on October 9.
Zimbabwe also qualified automatically as hosts and a Full Member. They are in Group A with Afghanistan, Australia, India, Pakistan and Qualifier A, and open in Bulawayo on October 9.
Namibia, an Associate Member, will host matches in Windhoek but must still earn a place through the World Cup Qualifier, scheduled for February and March 2027.
For Raza, the chance to play at home comes after a run of near-misses for his country. Over the coming weeks, Cricket Africa will hear from players across the three host nations on what a home World Cup means to them.
