Online Reporter
In the sweltering heat of November 2023, Zimbabwe cricket hit rock bottom.
The Chevrons, once a force to be reckoned with, failed to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup, crushed by a shock defeat to Uganda.
The nation’s cricketing pride lay shattered, with many writing off the team’s golden generation.
But, as the saying goes, the darkest hour is just before dawn. Zimbabwe Cricket’s leaders, led by Tavengwa Mukuhlani, refused to let despair take hold.
Instead, they embarked on a journey of introspection, seeking answers to the team’s dismal performance. A board of inquiry, chaired by Harare lawyer Lloyd Mhishi, was tasked with dissecting the rot.
Their findings were stark: a lack of commitment, inadequate technical structures and a culture of complacency had contributed to the team’s downfall. Mukuhlani reflected on the period.
“We sat down and said, ‘Guys, let’s sober up,’” Mukuhlani recalled.
“The board mandated the Mhishi Commission of Inquiry to look into what happened in Namibia, the state of women’s cricket, the Under-19s, and the overall technical structures within Zimbabwe Cricket.
“We had got to the point where we were the only Full Member that was not at the World Cup in 2024.
“I think that was our lowest point. Everyone questioned our relevance in world cricket—whether we were, in fact, far worse than the Associates.
“To put it simply, we lost to Uganda and Namibia. Not only did we fail to qualify but we lost twice to associates in Namibia during the qualifiers. 2024 proved we had seriously derailed,’’ he said.
Despite the setbacks, the ZC leadership were men on a mission.
And undeterred, ZC set about implementing reforms and Mukuhlani paid tribute to the Mhishi Commission. The inquiry drew significant interest from stakeholders.
Mukuhlani notes that while some contributions were self-serving, the board focused on common themes to drive reform.
“That commission of inquiry has been the catalyst for the progress you see today. We sifted through the feedback to find common issues across the spectrum. Implementing those recommendations is a work in progress, but we are already seeing the first positive results,” added Mukuhlani.
The turnaround became a collective effort between the administration and the players, focusing on reclaiming past glory ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
“Prior to the qualifiers, the players — led by the captain—had a conversation where they demanded unadulterated commitment to the national team, the flag, and the organisation. Anyone not fully committed was asked to graciously leave.”
The players, led by captain Sikandar Raza, also took ownership of their destiny, vowing to re-dedicate themselves to the cause. The result has been nothing short of remarkable. Zimbabwe’s qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup showpiece was just the beginning and it also somewhat atoned for the disappointment of missing out on the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups, as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy.
For a country that once rubbed shoulders with the world’s elite, being outperformed by Associate nations was quite some embarrassment. At the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, they reached their finest moment in this shortened version of cricket.
Zimbabwe stunned giants Australia, silenced hosts Sri Lanka’s partisan crowd, and pushed defending champions India to the limit in the Super 8 stage.
That India have gone on to reach today’s final in which they will face New Zealand underscores the Chevrons’ growing pedigree in T20 cricket. The Chevrons progress has charmed ZC boss Mukuhlani.
As the Chevrons began arriving back home yesterday, albeit in batches, owing to the international travel complications that have been occasioned by the on-going air strikes in the Middle East, their journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience and determination.
The Chevrons may have stumbled but they have no doubt risen from the ashes of their forgettable era and now have their wings spread wide, ready to take on the world once more.
“The ultimate goal was to earn respect,” a jubilant skipper Raza said.
“We’ve done that, and we’re going home with our heads held high”. – ESPN.
