Following Zimbabwe’s 3-2 defeat ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-in-namibia-2023-24-1404388/match-schedule-fixtures-and-results) in the T20I series against Namibia, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has rung in major changes to the side’s T20 set-up, including announcing allrounder Dave Houghton ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/dave-houghton-55497) as the head coach in a bid to keep continuity.
That leaves Zimbabwe, ranked 11th in T20Is, with split captaincy across formats. Craig Ervine ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/craig-ervine-55412) will continue to lead the Test and ODI teams, while Raza will be at the helm in the shortest format. Raza has led Zimbabwe in four T20Is before between 2015 to 2021 all in a stand-in capacity. Under Ervine’s captaincy, Zimbabwe had a 54% win percentage in 38 games, the best among all Zimbabwe T20 captains ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-list-captains/zimbabwe-9/twenty20-internationals-3).
The three-member men’s selection panel was also shuffled with former fast bowler David Mutendera remaining as convener, but with Houghton and former captain Elton Chigumbura ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/elton-chigumbura-55343) now joining him.
Zimbabwe did not participate at the 2021 T20 World Cup because ZC was suspended by the ICC over government interference in its administration. At the 2022 edition, they topped their group in the first round but finished last – sixth – in their Super 12 grouping and failed to qualify for 2024 automatically.
To get there, Zimbabwe will be playing the Africa Qualifier Regional Final later this month alongside Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and the hosts Namibia. Two teams from that competition will complete the 20-team line-up for the main edition in 2024.
Performance of women’s team under scrutiny
The ZC also said that the tenures of Zimbabwe women head coach Gary Brent, the captain Mary-Anne Musonda ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mary-anne-musonda-501348) and the vice-captain Josephine Nkomo ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/josephine-nkomo-638256) will be reviewed after the T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier is completed in December. They’ve played only six T20Is all year, and have a 1-5 record so far with the only tour ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-women-in-thailand-2023-1365307/thailand-women-vs-zimbabwe-women-3rd-odi-1368832/full-scorecard) being their series in Bangkok against Thailand.
With the upcoming men’s U-19 World Cup set to be held in Sri Lanka early next year, Prosper Utseya was given an extension as coach of the men’s U-19 team. Former fast bowler Kyle Jarvis ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/kyle-jarvis-332996) was named as one of the U-19 selectors, alongside Elton Chigumbura (Convener), Jestinos Gwatiringa, Pollock Mubhobho and Leslie Makirimani.
