Zimbabwe Cricket
Zimbabwe Cricket is the governing body for the conduction and spread of the game in the African nation of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Cricket is responsible for the day-to-day management along with the administration of the game. Zimbabwe Cricket was established with a vision to promote and create sustainable growth and an environment for cricket in Zimbabwe. Also, they are bound to raise the bar in terms of performance apart from nurturing the young talents in the African country. Zimbabwe Cricket is a full-time member nation at International Cricket Council.
#Zimbabwe Cricket History
Cricket was started in Zimbabwe as early as the 19th century when Zimbabwe was still Rhodesia. Rhodesia Cricket Union was formed in 1898 and the players were participating in the tournaments like Currie Cup and South Africa inter-province cup. However, the ties severed, and Zimbabwe stopped participating in the competitions after they attained independence in 1980. They attained the Associate Member Nation status in 1980 at the International Cricket Conference. After the continuous efforts of Zimbabwe cricket and their tremendous growth, ICC awarded them with the Test Nation status in 1992.
Things turned ugly in 2019 after the Zimbabwe board was found alleged with the charges of corruption. ICC had banned them temporarily but was reinstated soon in the same year after the board responded to the queries of ICC.
#Tournaments organised by Zimbabwe Cricket:
Apart from conducting the bilateral series and international level tournaments, Zimbabwe Cricket also looks after the domestic tournaments. Here are the tournaments that Zimbabwe Cricket conducts for the spread of cricket in the country:
– Castle Logan Cup
– Coca-Cola Metbank Pro 50 Championship
– Stanbic Bank 20 series
Stanbic Bank 20 Series is a shorter tournament of white-ball cricket in which most of the domestic players feature. The likes of Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Ryan Sidebottom, Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes were roped in to attract the masses to watch the game.
#Zimbabwe Cricket President
In October 2019, the former Zimbabwe international, Hamilton Masakadza was appointed as the Director of Cricket by Zimbabwe Cricket. The Director of Cricket is equivalent to the position of president in Zimbabwe Cricket. After revoking their ban, Hamilton Masakadza is the first Director of Cricket in Zimbabwe. Currently, Hamilton Masakadza looks after the recruitment, interaction with senior staff, and management of the cricket affairs department along with defining the policy, strategy, and programs. Also, he is expected to envisage the future of Zimbabwe Cricket in the post-pandemic era.
Hamilton Masakadza was associated as a player of the Zimbabwe international team for a long team. For the African nation, he featured in 68 Tests, 66 T20 Internationals, and 209 One Day games in his career spanning 19 long years. He also played a crucial role in recent times to conduct the series against Pakistan amidst the pandemic.
#Zimbabwe Cricket Headquarters:
The headquarters of Zimbabwe Cricket is located in the capital of Zimbabwe. The headquarters is situated at Harare located in the midst of Highlands. The headquarters was suspended for a while by International Cricket Council after they were found guilty of alleged corruption.
#Zimbabwe Cricket: Secretary/Chairman
After the death of former chairman Peter Chingoka, Tavengwa Mukhulani was appointed as the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket. He also battled out a general election in Zimbabwe against the likes of Thompson Nhidza, Lindiwe Chitombo, Jacob Nhidza, Edward Chimedza, Taurai Mabika, and Norbert Kazembe in the Mhondoro-Ngezi region for the post of Member of Parliament. He still has affiliations with Zanu PF, the ruling party in Zimbabwe.
#Zimbabwe Cricket: Selectors
Recently in July 2020, Zimbabwe Cricket changed their captain and the selection panel after a meeting held at Harare. The change was done for both men’s and women’s teams. Former Zimbabwe international player, David Mutendera is the head of the selection panel for the men’s team. He is accompanied by Gavin Ewing, Shepherd Makunura, and Prosper Utseya in the selection panel. David Mutendera replaced Walter Chawaguta who will head the Rhinos as a coach.
In terms of the women’s team selection panel, First Lady Chevrons Captain, Julia Chibhabha will head the selection panel. Julia Chibhabha will be accompanied by former Zimbabwe players like Thando Mlilo and Emily Njinjika.
