Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza has publicly addressed comments made last year by former Pakistan cricketer Imad Wasim regarding his late arrival for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 final. Raza, who plays for Lahore Qalandars, firmly denied that financial incentives influenced his decision to play.
Imad Wasim's "Money" Remark
The controversy stems from remarks made by Imad Wasim when asked to describe Raza. Instead, Wasim referenced a quote from Shoaib Akhtar, stating, "Like Shoaib Akhtar said — money can do things for you. If you’re getting paid, you’ll go." Wasim further elaborated on the demanding schedule of franchise cricket, suggesting that financial compensation drives players to travel extensively and play back-to-back matches.
Raza's late arrival for the PSL 10 final at Gaddafi Stadium was due to his participation in a one-off Test match for Zimbabwe against England in Nottingham, which concluded late the Saturday prior. Despite the tight schedule, Raza rejoined the Lahore Qalandars just minutes before the toss.
Raza's Rebuttal: Loyalty Over Livelihood
In a recent interview, Raza directly countered Wasim's assertion. "Regarding Imad Wasim’s comments about money being my motivation to return and play the PSL final — money was not the motivating factor," Raza stated, as quoted by Geo Super. He emphasized that his priorities were "respect, honour, and loyalty."
Raza further clarified that, contrary to Wasim's implication, he actually incurred a financial loss by missing earlier matches. "In fact, money was deducted from my contract for the matches I missed, so his opinion doesn’t bother me because it isn’t true," he added.
PSL 10 Final Victory for Lahore Qalandars
For context, Raza's Lahore Qalandars went on to win the PSL 10 title, securing their third championship by defeating Quetta Gladiators in a thrilling six-wicket victory. Chasing 202 runs, Raza played a crucial role in the final moments, hitting a four and a six to seal the win with one ball remaining, contributing to a memorable triumph for his team.