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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket believe the game is now perfectly placed to challenge football as the country’s number one sport following the recent upsurge in interest among the majority of local spectators, some of whom were part of the sold-out crowd on Saturday when the Chevrons stunned West Indies in an ICC World Cup Qualifier at Harare Sports Club.
It has become a common sight that the Sports Club fills to the brim whenever Zimbabwe are playing an international game of cricket at home.
Last Saturday was no different as the spectators packed the 10 000-sitter arena to capacity. Authorities had to close the gates mid-morning to avert a stampede. Thousands more that failed to access the sold out Harare Sports Club had to follow the game at a fan park set up at Harare Sports Club Rugby grounds, just behind the main arena.
Huge crowds were also witnessed at the venue last week when Zimbabwe won their opening two matches against Nepal and the Netherlands, despite the latter match being a mid-week fixture.
As was largely expected, the game against the West Indies was the biggest crowd puller. The passionate fans created an electric atmosphere as they cheered on their Chevrons to a sensational 35-run win over the highly-rated West Indies.
The scenes at Harare Sports Club were a strong reminder international cricket is the most supported sport in the country at the moment, especially with international football having taken a back seat due to the FIFA suspension.
ZC Managing Director Dirk Viljoen said in a recent interview that cricket had made giant strides both on and off the pitch to make a huge claim in the top echelons of Zimbabwean sport.
Obviously, cricket is aiming to compete with football, which of late has been enduring a lot of challenges.
There is an interesting contrast, while many local football fans have turned their backs on the “beautiful game”, cricket has been boosting its numbers. “It’s great (to see big crowds at national team cricket games),” said Viljoen.
“We have set a goal to be the number one sport in Zimbabwe and that’s tough because football for many years has dominated.
“Football now is the sport that we will have to compete with to be number one from a relevance’s perspective and I think we are doing the right thing.”
Viljoen, who played 53 ODIs and two between Tests 1997 and 2001, at the height of one of the golden eras for Zimbabwe cricket, said the crowds seen at Harare Sports Club were never seen during their days.
Zimbabwe legend Andy Flower, who played during the same era, and is back as one of the commentators has also been charmed by the passion.
The Chevrons had big crowds during the 2018 World Cup Qualifier and again last year when Zimbabwe hosted the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier.
The Zimbabwe Cricket fans are happy with the results. The Chevrons have had an interesting 12 months and have been playing an entertaining brand of cricket, coupled with good results and the run has been attributed to the arrival of head coach Dave Houghton last year.
“I think that the crowd appreciates; always good results are important but that’s not always in our control,” said Viljoen.
The boys have been really good in the field in the last 12 months, the showing at the T20 World Cup in Australia (last year) was really gutsy and I really think that the Zimbabwe public have really appreciated that.
“For us to see so many people here, I think even in my playing days we never filled a stadium like this. And that’s testimony to a couple of things.
“Like I said, the players are really putting out some good and consistent performances. I think Zimbabwe Cricket are doing the right things more often and from our structures, getting better, and it’s a good time to be in Zimbabwe Cricket at the moment.”
The International Cricket Council have also endorsed Zimbabwe by awarding them rights to host big events like the men’s and the Women’s Qualifiers in the last two years. The country is set to host more events including being the co-hosts of the 2027 World Cup.
“I don’t know the criteria of the ICC. I guess a feather in our cap is that if they continuously pick you then there is obviously something that you are doing right.
“…We have this one and we have the Under-19 World Cup, I think in 2025, and then the big Men’s World Cup in 2027. So it’s really good for us and the ICC are recognising us from an administrative perspective,” said Viljoen.
Fans are also expected today as the Chevrons round off the Group A games against USA at the Harare Sports Club, before they shift base to Bulawayo where they play their Super Six games.
ZC confirmed the development yesterday.
“Good news Bulawayo cricket fans. Zimbabwe have made it through to the Super Six stage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier and they will take the position of A2 in the draw, regardless of the final results and play all three fixtures at Queens Sports Club,” said the ZC statement.
While the match between Zimbabwe and USA has been reduced to a dead rubber, Windies and Netherlands face off for crucial Super Six points.
Both teams have also pulled through from Group A but with both sides having lost to Zimbabwe, they will need a win in this one to take any points through to the Super Six stage.
Considering that only the top two from the Super Six will reach the final and qualify for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, those two points could have huge ramifications.
Fixtures:
Today: Zimbabwe v USA (HSC), Netherlands v West Indies (Takashinga Cricket Club)
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