Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE and Namibia have hailed the upcoming T20 International tournament, which will also involve South Africa, as a landmark event to improve the game in the region.
The three countries are set to converge in Windhoek later this month for the event, which will lay the foundation for the launch of the Africa Cup in 2027.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) chairperson Tavengwa Mukuhlani, who is also the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) chairperson, said the series, to be staged from August 28 to September 6, forms part of a broader initiative to create more regular, high-quality international competition among African nations and strengthen collaboration across the continent.
Mukuhlani said the initiative will culminate in the launch of the Africa Cup next year, envisioned as a flagship continental tournament providing a structured pathway for African cricket nations to compete at the highest level.
The concept gathered momentum at the 2026 ICC Africa Annual Conference in Windhoek, where cricket boards from across the continent expressed strong support for establishing a sustainable competition built around greater collaboration and high-performance cricket.
The Africa Cup is expected to initially rotate between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia before gradually expanding to include more countries.
As the competition develops, other African nations will have the opportunity to earn places through a qualification pathway, creating a broader and increasingly competitive continental structure.
Mukuhlani said the Windhoek tournament represents an important first step towards that long-term vision.
“This tournament marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for African cricket,” he said.
“By bringing Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia together in regular, competitive international cricket, we are laying the foundation for something much bigger for our continent.
“Our vision is to launch the Africa Cup in 2027 and gradually build it into African cricket’s flagship international tournament.
“We want to create a sustainable competition that raises standards, strengthens collaboration and ultimately gives cricket nations across Africa a clear pathway to compete for a place on the continental stage.”
ZC managing director Givemore Makoni said: “This tri-series is an important step in our commitment to giving Zimbabwe’s players regular, high-quality international competition.
“Playing South Africa and Namibia in a competitive tournament will provide invaluable experience for our players and support our long-term growth as an international side.
“We are proud to be partnering with Cricket Namibia and Cricket South Africa (CSA) on an initiative that has the potential to transform African cricket through greater collaboration, stronger competition and a shared ambition to elevate the game across the continent.”
Cricket Namibia chief executive officer Johan Muller said: “We are immensely grateful to Cricket South Africa and Zimbabwe Cricket for their commitment to this series, which reflects the strong partnership and shared vision to grow cricket across the African continent.
“We encourage cricket fans from across Namibia to come out in their numbers and enjoy world-class international cricket featuring three of Africa’s leading cricketing nations.
“This promises to be a memorable celebration of the game and a fantastic opportunity to support the Eagles on home soil.”
CSA chief executive officer Pholetsi Moseki said: “We are excited to be part of this white-ball tour, which not only further demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the game in our neighbouring countries, but also builds excitement ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will be co-hosted by all three nations.”
T20I TRI-SERIES FIXTURES
August 28: South Africa v Namibia
August 29: South Africa v Zimbabwe
August 31: Zimbabwe v Namibia
September 1: Zimbabwe v South Africa
September 3: Namibia v Zimbabwe
September 4: Namibia v South Africa
September 6: Final (top two teams)
