Sikandar Raza’s brother Muhammad Mahdi passes away

Originally posted on Crictoday | By V.M.Suriya Narayanan | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 5:07 AM ET

The cricketing world has been struck by sadness following the sudden passing of Muhammad Mahdi, the younger brother of Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza. In a statement from Zimbabwe Cricket, the organization offered its heartfelt sympathies, revealing that Mahdi passed away unexpectedly in Harare on 29 December 2025, aged just 13.

“Muhammad Mahdi was born with haemophilia and sadly lost his life due to recent health complications. He was laid to rest on 30 December 2025 at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare. The ZC Board, Management, Players and Staff stand united in solidarity with Sikandar Raza and his family during this profoundly difficult time. May Allah grant them comfort and strength, and may Muhammad Mahdi’s soul rest in eternal peace,” Posted on X.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) extends its heartfelt condolences to Zimbabwe T20I Captain Sikandar Raza and his family following the untimely passing of his beloved… pic.twitter.com/CVCBwVntEi
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) December 31, 2025

On social media, Raza conveyed his sadness by posting a simple yet poignant broken heart emoji in reaction to the news shared by Zimbabwe Cricket.

https://t.co/zNCVlBBKVB
— Sikandar Raza (@SRazaB24) December 31, 2025

This personal tragedy strikes at a time when Raza’s career is flourishing. The veteran all-rounder had an impactful run for the Sharjah Warriorz in the ILT20 2025, contributing 171 runs and 10 wickets in 10 games. Raza’s impressive performances in the UAE have solidified his reputation as a key all-rounder, especially in T20 cricket. Even amid personal sorrow, Raza remains in the spotlight, preparing to captain Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup 2026, which kicks off this February.

Raza’s role as the leader of Zimbabwe is crucial to their success on the world stage. The passing of his brother, who had been battling haemophilia since birth, is an immense loss. In this tough moment, the cricketing world extends its heartfelt support to the Raza family.

This article first appeared on Crictoday and was syndicated with permission.

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