Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE cricket great Sean Williams has revealed that substance abuse issues and his deteriorating personal life forced him to withdraw from the 2025 T20 World Cup qualifiers in Harare, saying he had reached a point where he had to put his family and personal wellbeing ahead of cricket.
Williams, one of Zimbabwe’s most accomplished cricketers, made global headlines in September 2025 when he pulled out of the national squad shortly before the crucial T20 World Cup qualification tournament.
His withdrawal was followed by revelations that the 40-year-old had entered a rehabilitation programme in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands, bringing an abrupt end to a 20-year international career.
Speaking exclusively to SportsCast Williams said his decision to leave the squad was entirely personal and had nothing to do with Zimbabwe Cricket or his teammates.
“My decision to pull out of the squad for the qualifiers in 2025 was a personal decision,” Williams said.
“It had nothing to do with the team, nothing to do with Zimbabwe Cricket. It was all based on myself and my current space at that time.”
Williams said substance-related problems had reached a point where they could no longer be ignored.
“Substance issues was something that needed to be taken care of immediately. It couldn’t go any longer. I can’t hide that stuff, you need to be honest about it. That was the reason behind it,” he said.
“My life was falling apart around me. The cricket was good, but outside it, it wasn’t.
“I said to myself, family first.”
The former Zimbabwe captain subsequently checked into a rehabilitation centre in the country’s resort Eastern Highlands region, where former Chevrons teammate Brendan Taylor had also spent time while dealing with addiction-related problems.
For Williams, entering rehabilitation became the only realistic option if he was to regain control of his life.
“Going into rehab from there was the only decision I could make at that time, otherwise nothing was going to change,” he said.
Reflecting on his time at the facility, Williams spoke positively about the experience and the people who helped him through the process.
“I love that place, the place is amazing, some amazing people and ja, I would go back there anytime. It’s awesome.” — Cricket24-Xtra-Cover/SportsCast.
