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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) has faced several challenges in the past year, including missing out on two World Cup qualifications and suffering unexpected defeats to Namibia and Uganda.

This has raised concerns about the future of cricket in the country, especially with Zimbabwe being the only Full Member  not participating in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.

However, in an interview with ESPNCricinfo, ZC chairperson Tavengwa Mukuhlani remained optimistic and believes that Zimbabwe still has a lot to offer the world of cricket.

He drew parallels between Zimbabwe’s current situation and the struggles faced by the West Indies cricket team in recent years and stressed that the country should still be regarded as a formidable cricketing nation.

Mukuhlani also believes that regional tournaments, like the proposed Africa Cup, will play a huge role in helping cricket grow on the continent.

Tavengwa Mukuhlani

“Because we have not qualified for ICC events, it makes it difficult to make a case for your country, but having said that, sport is cyclical. In the 1970s, the West Indies were everything. But they were with us in the qualifiers and they didn’t make it to the 2023 ODI World Cup. Would you say West Indies don’t have a case in cricket? No, they still have it,” said Mukuhlani.

“We have such a rich cricket heritage in Zimbabwe. In spite of everything that hasn’t gone our way on the field of play in the recent past, we are still a proper cricketing nation that must be taken seriously. We can still beat sides. We went to Sri Lanka recently and competed. We have a lot to offer to the world of cricket,” he said.

Zimbabwe only played two Tests in a home series against the West Indies last year and are only scheduled to play 20 Tests in the 2023-2027 Future Tours Programme (FTP).

Despite not being part of the World Test Championship, Mukuhlani still believes that Zimbabwe should play a lot more of the longer version of the game, as it will help develop players.

Mukuhlani, who is also vice-president of the Africa Cricket Association, believes that having a regional tournament, like the Asia Cup will play a huge role in helping the sport grow in the continent. He said Zimbabwe has a duty to ensure that cricket grows in Africa.

“We still have to play Test cricket, even if we are not part of the World Test Championship. We believe you can only get good cricketers from playing the longer version of the game. We are one of the two Test nations in Africa.
Congratulations to Uganda and Namibia for the progress they have made, but them being at a World Cup is not the end of their journey.

“They still need to play Zimbabwe and South Africa for them to grow. We have the cricketing facilities that they don’t have. We have a big role to play in making sure that the region grows.

“I was just thinking; why don’t we have an Africa Cup? Something with South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda and Kenya. It will help everyone. It’s a conversation we are having,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s next chance at participating in an ICC event will be in 2026 for the T20 World Cup, and they will also co-host the ODI World Cup in 2027 alongside Namibia and South Africa.

The Chevrons and Proteas, as Full Members, will gain automatic qualification, while the Richelieu Eagles of Namibia will have   to play in a qualification tournament.

Mukuhlani said they are hoping to have a stadium in Victoria Falls in time for the 2027 World Cup.

However, that will be subject to how fast other departments they are working with move. Queens Sports Club is likely to have flood lights installed ahead of the World Cup. -@brandon_malvin