Raza named Zimbabwe T20I captain as ZC rings the changes

All-rounder Sikandar Raza has been named as Captain of Zimbabwe’s T20 international team in one of the changes announced by the Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Board after its meeting held in Victoria Falls on Saturday. 

He takes over from Craig Ervine, who will now lead the senior men’s national team in Test and one-day international cricket. 

Placing emphasis on the importance of qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the Board retained Dave Houghton as Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach. 

The Men’s Selection Panel will now have three members, with David Mutendera remaining as Convener and joined by Houghton and Elton Chigumbura. 

There are no changes to the women’s cricket set-up, although the Board will review the tenures of Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Gary Brent and Captain Mary-Anne Musonda after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier set for Uganda in December. 

Blessing Ngondo comes in as the Cricket Committee’s new Chairman, with Hamilton Masakadza, Kenyon Ziehl, Russell Tiffin, Julia Chibhabha, Houghton and Chigumbura being the other members. 

At the meeting, the Board expressed its deep concern and disappointment over the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team’s performance during the recent T20 international series in Namibia which the hosts won by three matches to two. 

OUTCOMES OF ZC BOARD MEETING: 

On 4 November 2023, the ZC Board held a meeting in Victoria Falls during which the following resolutions were passed: 

1. That Dave Houghton be retained as Head Coach of the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team.
2. That the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team Captaincy be split with Craig Ervine appointed Test and ODI Captain and Sikandar Raza appointed as T20I Captain.
3. That the Senior Men’s Selection Panel be constituted as follows: David Mutendera (Convener), Dave Houghton and Elton Chigumbura.
4. That Gary Brent be retained as Head Coach of the Zimbabwe Senior Women’s National Team.
5. That Mary-Anne Musonda be retained as Captain of the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team and Josephine Nkomo as the Vice Captain. 

6. That the Senior Women’s Selection Panel be constituted as follows: Julia Chibhabha (Convener), Emily Njinjika and Thando Mlilo.
7. That Prosper Utseya be retained as Coach of the Zimbabwe Under-19 Men’s National Team.
8. That the Under-19 Men’s Selection Panel be constituted as follows: Elton Chigumbura (Convener), Jestinos Gwatiringa, Pollock Mubhobho, Kyle Jarvis and Leslie Makirimani.
9. That Trevor Garwe be retained as Coach of the Zimbabwe Under-19 Women’s National Team. 

10.That the Under-19 Women’s Selection Panel be constituted as follows: Julia Chibhabha (Convener), Trevor Garwe, Trevor Phiri, Chipo Kanjanda and Nonhlanhla Kamuteku. 

11.That the Cricket Committee be constituted as follows: Blessing Ngondo (Chairman), Hamilton Masakadza, Kenyon Ziehl, Russell Tiffin, Julia Chibhabha, Dave Houghton and Elton Chigumbura.