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WAY back in 1982, Zimbabwe won the then International Cricket Council Trophy which guaranteed them qualification to the 1983 World Cup in England.
Zimbabwe were led by all rounder Duncan Fletcher and after topping their group at the 16-team tournament, they went on to face Bangladesh in the semifinal, a match they won by eight wickets.
In the final, Zimbabwe squared off against Bermuda with the Zimbabweans winning the match by five wickets with 33 balls to spare. Zimbabwe joined then ICC Full Members, India, Australia, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and England for the 1983 World Cup.
Fletcher and his men went on to cause a massive upset when they floored Australia by 13 runs in their opening match of the tournament at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in what still remains Zimbabwe’s best win at the global showpiece.
Besides Fletcher who went on to make a name for himself as coach with England and India, other members of the Zimbabwean team at that World Cup who went on to make names for themselves as players as coaches were Robin Brown, the late Kevin Curran, Graeme Hick, Vincent Hogg, Andrew Pycroft, John Traicos and David Houghton.
The 1982 crop did not have the luxuries enjoyed by the current players. Back then they had no kit sponsorship, good salaries and match fees. Fast forward to 2018, the players have good packages which has them being the most rewarded locally based sportsmen in Zimbabwe.
PPC Zimbabwe were recently unveiled as the shirt sponsor while Indian company, Vega Sportswear are the kit suppliers for the Chevrons, a status they have enjoyed since 2016.
Zimbabwe again won the then ICC Trophy in 1986 and 199. They have not had to qualify for the World Cup after they became a Full Member in 1992 which saw them get an automatic entry into the 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 tournaments. -@Mdawini_29
Online Reporter