There are many noted Pakistan-born international cricketers who’ve been playing for different countries.  Usman Afzaal and Owais Shah played for England, Fawad Ahmad and Usman Khawaja for Australia, and Imran Tahir for South Africa.

The Zimbabwean cricket team has also got a player who was born in Sialkot city of Pakistan, Sikandar Raza Butt.

Sikandar’s family moved to Zimbabwe when he was very young, so he considers himself more a Zimbabwean than a Pakistani. He wanted to be a fighter pilot, but fate had other things in mind for Sikandar who became a professional cricketer and is now an important part of Zimbabwe’s batting line.

In a recent interview to The News on Sunday, Sikandar spoke about his childhood, his struggle, Pakistan tour and improvement in Zimbabwe’s cricket. Here are excerpts from the interview.

The News on Sunday: Sikandar, tell us about your childhood when you moved from Pakistan to Zimbabwe.  Did you ever, as a kid, dream to play for Pakistan?

Sikandar Raza Butt: I never played any serious cricket in Pakistan. I wanted to concentrate on my studies and wanted to become a fighter pilot. I did not play any cricket in Pakistan and I had no aspirations to play for Pakistan at all.

TNS: By whom are you inspired as a cricketer?

SRB: A lot of people have asked me this question. Honestly speaking, I didn’t start cricket because I was following any cricketer; it was only that my interest in cricket increased itself. It was not about following personalities. I would walk up to any tail-ender and ask him how he managed to play a shot, or how he worked to get the desired result. So there is no cricketing personality, but there is one personality I always look up to. It’s my grandfather who taught me everything.

TNS: How did you start playing cricket and what did it take to win an international cap for Zimbabwe?

SRB: It was by sheer luck that I got picked for one of the franchises while I was having throw downs; Zimbabwean law says that you have to be a resident of the country for 10 years before you get the passport. So in 2013, I completed my 10 years and straight after that I won my ODI cap.

TNS: How has the coaching of Dav Whatmore helped Zimbabwean cricket?

SRB: Dav (Whatmore) has brought a very relaxed but, simultaneously, very professional environment to the team and has helped massively in the growth of the team mentally and that is how and why we are playing good cricket. He manages individuals greatly and if you look at our cricket since Dav has come in, we have started to play better. We are doing a lot better.

TNS: Zimbabwe’s performance in the World Cup and in the series against Pakistan surprised many. Do you think Zimbabwe cricket is now heading in the right direction?

SRB: Certainly we are heading in the right direction and if our performances have surprised many despite the fact that we haven’t won many games then wonder how people feel when we start winning, INSHAALLAH.

TNS: What was your first reaction when you were told about Zimbabwe team’s tour to Pakistan?

SRB: This tour was very important for me. Before Pakistan tour, my career was at a point where I could have been out of the team, but the coach and selectors, instead of dropping me, supported me and backed my inclusion for the tour. I am grateful to all the people who supported me.

TNS: You scored a hundred against Pakistan in Lahore. How important was that century for you? And was scoring a century against country of your birth something extraordinarily special?

SRB: It was a very special hundred and it couldn’t have come at a better time because there were a lot of questions and I wanted to prove myself, not to anyone else but myself. I really worked hard to get this, but I am also a firm believer that there is a time for everything to happen and it happens with Allah’s will. It was very emotional scoring a hundred not because it was scored against Pakistan but because a lot of people were praying for me.

TNS: During the series, the crowd in Lahore cheered for both the teams. How was the feeling when you walked into the field?

SRB: It was very amazing. The love and support we got from the crowd was fantastic. At times the whole crowd would chant "Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe" something you don’t expect when you are playing an away series. I was like "Wow, what an amazing reception we are getting here". People in Pakistan are fantastic. Every person I met during the trip said positive things about the Zimbabwean team and about me.

TNS: Wasn’t it too suffocated for the players, the extraordinary security measures and players being not allowed to visit public places?

SRB: Yes, it was as we wanted to see all the historical places in Lahore and desired to try foods of different kinds, but Insha Allah as time goes by and things get better we might do all these things in the future.

TNS: Did you get the opportunity to meet your childhood friends, or family members during recent trip to Pakistan?

SRB: Yes, I did meet my family and friends. And especially, I was very lucky that I got the opportunity to meet my grandparents. I am very happy about that.

TNS: Were the security measures appropriate?

SRB: The security that was provided to us was top notch. I don’t think Pakistan could have done more.

TNS: Do you think other teams should follow Zimbabwe and start touring Pakistan?

SRB: Yes, other teams should tour Pakistan. I can’t speak on others’ behalf but if Zimbabwe is given another opportunity to tour Pakistan, I will be the first one to say yes to visit Pakistan.

TNS: What’s your take on some media reports that Zimbabwean cricketers were paid hefty amounts to come here?

SRB: I don’t know why the issue was raised in media. One shouldn’t bother about money a cricketer is earning for his livelihood. We play cricket for the country and whatever compensation we get is between us and the cricket board.