Drama in PSL: Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza fires back at Pakistan's Imad Wasim over 'money' remark

Zimbabwe cricketer Sikandar Raza, who is currently playing for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, has responded to remarks earlier made by former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim.

The comments date back to last year, when Imad spoke about Raza’s late arrival for the PSL 10 final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Raza had taken partial leave from the Qalandars squad to play a one-off Test for Zimbabwe against England in Nottingham.

That match ended late on Saturday night (Pakistan Standard Time), which put his availability for the final in doubt. However, Raza rejoined the Qalandars just minutes before the toss and took the field against Quetta Gladiators.

When Imad was asked to describe Raza in one word, he instead spoke about the demands of franchise cricket.

“Like Shoaib Akhtar said — money can do things for you,” Imad had remarked. “If you’re getting paid, you’ll go. I travel a lot too. Sometimes one match ends, and the next day you’re playing another. I have travelled 24 hours straight and gone directly into a match. So yes, money can make different things happen.”

In a recent interview with a local sports platform, Raza addressed those comments and said his decision was not about money. He said he had in fact lost money by missing earlier matches.

“Regarding Imad Wasim’s comments about money being my motivation to return and play the PSL final — money was not the motivating factor,” Raza said, as quoted by Pakistan-based news outlet Geo Super. “My priorities are respect, honour, and loyalty. 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.”

For context, Shaheen Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars went on to win the PSL 10 title with a six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators, securing their third title.

Chasing 202, Lahore got off to a quick start through Mohammad Naeem, who scored 47 off 27 balls, including one four and six sixes, before being dismissed by Faheem Ashraf.

Abdullah Shafique added 41 off 28 balls, with four boundaries and a six, before being dismissed by Usman Tariq, leaving Lahore at 115 for 3 in 12.3 overs.

As the required rate rose, Thisara Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa found scoring difficult for a period.

Raza then shifted momentum by hitting consecutive boundaries off Mohammad Amir. Perera also contributed with a half-century off 28 balls.

With 13 runs needed in the final over, Raza hit a four and a six to seal the win with one ball remaining.