ZIMBABWE cricket star Sikandar Raza was Friday night crowned Sports Person of The Year at the Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA) following another remarkable season in which he continued to shine for both club and country on the international stage.

Raza, who has become one of Zimbabwe’s most consistent sporting figures in recent years, was honoured for his outstanding performances with the bat and ball.

The 39-year-old all-rounder enjoyed an impressive campaign last year which helped Zimbabwe qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup played early this year.

Other than that, Raza was at one time number one ranked ICC ODI all-rounder before he attained same spot as T20 all-rounder.

Speaking after recieving the award, Raza appreciated fans for the support which he said has been key to his stellar performance.

“Thank you very much everyone here. I have always been a guy who thinks that respect goes far more than anything I could earn in my life.

“With you all standing up and honourable, giving me this award, it is a sign of respect.

“I respect that I take you very seriously and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

Raza became the first Zimbabwean cricketer to reach 5,000 runs in the T20I format last year and is the highest so far on record in the country.

Meanwhile, The Sables, Zimbabwe’s national senior men’s rugby team, were crowned Team of The Year after qualifying for 2027 World Cup last year, to break the country’s 31-year-old jinx.

The Sables head coach Piet Benade scooped the Coach of The Year accolade for winning back-to-back Rugby Africa Cup trophy.