Innocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
RICHARD Ngarava says a World Cup on home soil will be a special occasion for the Chevrons and their boisterous army of fans.
The Chevrons skipper was speaking on the sidelines of the Kuzana Sport and Creative Economy Expo in Bulawayo.
The 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup has provided another talking point for a city preparing to host Zimbabwe’s opening matches.
“It’s a great opportunity to be hosting the World Cup and playing the World Cup on home soil in front of our fans.
“We can’t wait to be participating at the World Cup,” said Ngarava.
Zimbabwe have been drawn in Group A alongside defending champions Australia, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The sixth team will come through the qualifying process. It is a demanding group but Zimbabwe will have the advantage of playing all five of their group matches in familiar conditions.
Their campaign taking them to three different venues.
The Chevrons open against the qualifier at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on October 9, next year.
They will return to the same venue two days later to face Afghanistan.
They then head to Harare for clashes against Australia on October 15 and Pakistan on October 19, before completing their group campaign against India in Victoria Falls on October 24.
For Ngarava, the opportunity is particularly significant because he will lead Zimbabwe in the 50-over format on cricket’s biggest stage.
The home schedule also means Zimbabwean supporters will have several opportunities to watch the national team against some of the biggest names in international cricket.
The opening two matches in Bulawayo will give the city an early taste of the World Cup, while Harare will host the encounters against Australia and Pakistan before Victoria Falls gets its chance when India arrives for the final group match.
With India, Australia, Pakistan and Afghanistan standing between Zimbabwe and progress from Group A, the Chevrons face a formidable assignment.
But the captain is looking at the bigger picture, a World Cup staged in Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe playing in front of Zimbabweans.
