Zimbabwe’s national cricket team captain, Sikandar Raza,has urged his  teammates to unleash their killer instinct  as they take on Sri Lanka today in Pakistan .

Speaking ahead of the match, Raza emphasized the need for his team to be more ruthless in their approach. “We’ve been performing well, but we need to take it to the next level,” he said.

He also stated that ,”We can’t afford to concede over 20 runs in a single over during crucial stages of the game. We need to be braver in our thought process, trust our skills, and stick to the plan.”

Raza’s leadership and experience will be crucial in guiding Zimbabwe as they take on top-quality opposition. The tri-series promises high-intensity T20 action, and Raza is confident in his team’s ability to compete. “We’re facing tough opponents, but we have the skills and the talent to take them on,” he added.

The Zimbabwean skipper has been in top form, breaking Virat Kohli’s record for most Player of the Match awards in T20Is. His hunger and desire to win games for Zimbabwe drive him to perform at the highest level. “I’m just trying to lead by example and inspire my teammates to do the same,” Raza said.

Today’s match against Sri Lanka will be a crucial test for Zimbabwe, and Raza will be looking to lead his team to victory. The Chevrons will need to be at their best to take on a strong Sri Lankan side, but Raza is optimistic about their chances. “We’re ready for the challenge, and I’m excited to see how we perform,” he said.

The match is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to make a statement in the tri-series. Zimbabwe will be looking forward to bounce back from their loss to Pakistan, while Sri Lanka will be aiming to make it two wins in a row.

Zimbabwe’s national football team is set to begin preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier than usual, after authorities cleared an early December training camp for the Warriors.

The arrangement gives head coach Marina “Super Mario” Marinica a rare opportunity to work extensively with his squad ahead of the continental showpiece.

The local-based players will assemble immediately after the Premier Soccer League season ends this weekend, allowing the technical team uninterrupted contact time before the tournament.

For Marinica, who has so far only observed his side briefly in friendly matches against Algeria and Qatar, this extended period is particularly valuable.

The early camp comes at a critical time as Zimbabwe prepares for a tough Group B, where they will face Egypt, Angola and South Africa.

After suffering five consecutive group-stage exits, the Warriors are eager to change their fortunes.

By starting early, the coaches hope to build cohesion, refine their tactical organisation and gain a clearer understanding of which players can handle the demands of AFCON football.

The initial phase of the programme will focus on domestic players, with those playing abroad expected to join once released by their clubs.

A source close to the discussions said preparations have already been set in motion.

“The association recognises the importance of beginning the training camp early so the coach has enough time to assess the squad,” the insider said. “Everything has been agreed on, and if all goes well, camp will open in early December with local players reporting first.

The foreign-based players will join later depending on their club schedules.”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) staged the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony in Morocco on Wednesday, celebrating the continent’s finest performers across club and national competitions.

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi was crowned Men’s Player of the Year, following an exceptional season that saw him play a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning campaign. In the women’s category, fellow Moroccan Ghizlaine Chebbak walked away with the Women’s Player of the Year award.

This year’s honours recognised standout achievements recorded between 6 January and 15 October 2025. However, three key women’s awards remain pending, with CAF confirming that performances from the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt will be taken into account before winners are announced.

Men’s Category Winners

Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bonou (Morocco / Al Hilal)

Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)

Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde)

Young Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford)

National Team of the Year: Morocco U-20

Club of the Year: Pyramids

Women’s Category Winners

Player of the Year: Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion)

Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

Team of the Year: Nigeria

CAF said the winners for Women’s Coach of the Year, Women’s Interclub Player of the Year, and Women’s Club of the Year will be announced once the Women’s Champions League concludes.