News / Local
Harare coach suspended after Raza files complaint alleging racial abuse
10 Jun 2025 at 17:17hrs | Views
Zimbabwe cricket star Sikandar Raza has filed a formal complaint with the Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association (HMCA), accusing local coach Blessing Mafuwa of racially abusing him during a Vigne Cup match on June 1.
The incident allegedly occurred at the Old Hararians Sports Club during a match between Old Hararians, Raza's team, and Rainbow Cricket Club. According to the complaint seen by ESPNcricinfo, Raza claimed that Mafuwa made racially derogatory remarks towards him as he walked off the field following his innings.
While Raza did not name Mafuwa in his complaint, HMCA chairperson Tafadzwa Madoro later confirmed the identity of the coach to ESPNcricinfo on Sunday night.
"We received a report of racial abuse that our T20 captain [Raza] suffered last week. We are in the process of investigating," Madoro said. "Blessing Mafuwa will attend a disciplinary hearing this coming Tuesday and will answer to the charges from the report. In the interim, he is suspended from all HMCA activities."
Madoro reiterated that the association has zero tolerance for racism and would move swiftly to address the issue. "We don't condone any racial abuse in the HMCA. We will investigate this as quickly and thoroughly as possible."
Raza, speaking to ESPNcricinfo on Sunday, said he expected a fair and firm process. "If found guilty, an example should be made out of him so that stuff like this never happens again - not to this generation or the next."
During the match in question, Raza delivered a standout performance, scoring 78 runs off 56 balls as Old Hararians posted 402 for 9 in 50 overs. Rainbow Cricket Club could only muster 225 for 8 in reply, losing by 142 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Raza's complaint comes at a time when he is enjoying a prolific run in international franchise cricket. He recently lifted the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) title with Lahore Qalandars, hitting the winning runs in a dramatic final. Earlier this year, he also won the International League T20 (ILT20) title.
The HMCA's disciplinary proceedings are expected to set a precedent for how racial abuse allegations are handled in Zimbabwean domestic cricket.
The incident allegedly occurred at the Old Hararians Sports Club during a match between Old Hararians, Raza's team, and Rainbow Cricket Club. According to the complaint seen by ESPNcricinfo, Raza claimed that Mafuwa made racially derogatory remarks towards him as he walked off the field following his innings.
While Raza did not name Mafuwa in his complaint, HMCA chairperson Tafadzwa Madoro later confirmed the identity of the coach to ESPNcricinfo on Sunday night.
"We received a report of racial abuse that our T20 captain [Raza] suffered last week. We are in the process of investigating," Madoro said. "Blessing Mafuwa will attend a disciplinary hearing this coming Tuesday and will answer to the charges from the report. In the interim, he is suspended from all HMCA activities."
Raza, speaking to ESPNcricinfo on Sunday, said he expected a fair and firm process. "If found guilty, an example should be made out of him so that stuff like this never happens again - not to this generation or the next."
During the match in question, Raza delivered a standout performance, scoring 78 runs off 56 balls as Old Hararians posted 402 for 9 in 50 overs. Rainbow Cricket Club could only muster 225 for 8 in reply, losing by 142 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Raza's complaint comes at a time when he is enjoying a prolific run in international franchise cricket. He recently lifted the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) title with Lahore Qalandars, hitting the winning runs in a dramatic final. Earlier this year, he also won the International League T20 (ILT20) title.
The HMCA's disciplinary proceedings are expected to set a precedent for how racial abuse allegations are handled in Zimbabwean domestic cricket.
Source - NewZimbabwe
