Heartbreak for Sikandar Raza After Brother Mahdi Passes Away at 13

The Zimbabwe cricket family is grieving after a deeply personal loss struck its T20I captain. Sikandar Raza lost his younger brother, Muhammad Mahdi, who passed away at the age of 13 on December 29 in Harare, a development confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday.

Mahdi had lived with haemophilia since birth, a rare medical condition that limits the blood’s ability to clot. Even minor injuries can turn dangerous, and recent health complications proved overwhelming, and the family was left facing the unimaginable during what should have been a quiet end to the year.

Zimbabwe Cricket shared the news through a brief but heavy statement. It noted that Mahdi was laid to rest on December 30 at Warren Hills Cemetery, with close family members present. The board expressed collective support, stating that players, staff, and administrators stood together with Raza during this painful moment.

Mahdi’s passing was not just another line in a release, and for those around the team, it landed with weight. Teammates reached out privately. Officials paused conversations about cricket. The mood shifted, even as preparations for a demanding international calendar continued in the background.

Cricket Pauses, Even Briefly

Sikandar Raza, known for carrying Zimbabwe’s batting and leadership responsibilities with calm authority, reacted quietly. He retweeted the board’s message with a broken heart emoji. 

The all-rounder is expected to lead Zimbabwe at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, a role that already comes with pressure. This loss adds another layer, one far removed from nets and match plans. Those close to the squad say the team understands the space such moments demand.

Solidarity Beyond the Game

Zimbabwe Cricket closed its message with a prayer for strength and comfort for the family, asking for peace for Mahdi’s soul. In times like these, cricket fades. What remains is the shared human instinct to stand beside someone hurting.

Not on captaincy calls or upcoming fixtures, but on empathy, patience, and support for a player carrying grief far heavier than any bat.