Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE yesterday sealed their return to the global stage, booking a place at next year’s ICC T20 World Cup after crushing Kenya by seven wickets in the semi-finals of the Africa Qualifiers at Harare Sports Club.
It will be the Chevrons’ seventh appearance at the biennial tournament since its launch in 2007, having only missed the 2009 and 2024 editions. Their best run came in 2022, when they reached the Super 12s, and they now head to India and Sri Lanka next year with renewed belief.
The job was done in emphatic fashion. Kenya, who elected to bat first, were restricted to 126 for six, thanks to disciplined Zimbabwe bowling led by Blessing Muzarabani (2/19). Richard Ngarava, Bradley Evans and Tinotenda Maposa chipped in with a wicket each, while Rakep Patel (65 off 47) stood out as the lone Kenyan resistance.
Chasing 127 was never going to trouble Zimbabwe, not with 21-year-old Brian Bennett in the kind of form he has shown all tournament. Fresh off his maiden T20 international century against Tanzania on Tuesday, Bennett blasted 51 off just 25 balls, laced with eight boundaries and two sixes. He shared a blistering 76-run opening stand with Tadiwanashe Marumani (39 off 27), effectively killing the contest inside six overs.
Although Bennett and Marumani both fell with the score past 100, the damage was done. Sikandar Raza added 10 before Ryan Burl (17 not out) and Tony Manyonga (3 not out) calmly completed the job in the 13th over.
After the match, Raza could barely hide his pride.
“I think it’s a bit of both, calm and relaxed,” he said. “The thing is, just because we were expected to win, it doesn’t mean it was guaranteed. We still had to do a lot of right things to get the job done.
“Now, I can certainly say that I’m a very proud captain. We have qualified for the World Cup, and it is relieving because I know it wasn’t much to do with skills, it was just dealing with those demons of the past. We’ve put them to bed now, and we are on our way to Sri Lanka and India. I can’t be any more proud.
“I also think this country and the cricket fans deserve a bit of happiness. And in the same breath, I want to mention that we have the rugby boys going to the World Cup as well, so at least our people will have more representation on the world stage to enjoy.”
Zimbabwe’s qualification came hours after Namibia also punched their ticket with a 63-run victory over Tanzania, maintaining their unbeaten run at the qualifiers.
After being sent in to bat, Namibia recovered from 44 for four to post 174 for six, thanks to half-centuries from skipper Gerhard Erasmus (55 off 41) and JJ Smit (61* off 43). In reply, Tanzania faltered to 111 all out, with only Abhik Patwa (31) offering resistance. Smit and Ben Shikongo starred with the ball, each taking three wickets, while Ruben Trumpelmann and Nicol Loftie-Eaton added one apiece.
It means Southern Africa will be represented by two sides at the 2026 T20 World Cup, with both Zimbabwe and Namibia now looking ahead to taking on the world’s best in India and Sri Lanka.
Bongani Ndlovu