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The Zimbabwe men’s national cricket team represents Zimbabwe in international cricket. The team is administered by Zimbabwe Cricket (formerly known as Zimbabwe Cricket Union). Zimbabwe have been a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1992. As of September 2024, the team was ranked 11th in Tests, 13th in One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 12th in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

History

The Zimbabwe men’s team was previously known as Rhodesia until 1980. This team occasionally participated in the South African domestic Currie Cup from 1904 to 1932 and regularly from 1946 until independence. On July 21, 1981, Zimbabwe gained ICC’s associate member status.

Zimbabwe men’s team competed in the 1983, 1987, and 1992 Cricket World Cups. In their debut World Cup in 1983, Zimbabwe were eliminated after the group stage, losing five of six matches. However, they achieved a historic upset against Australia. In the 1987 tournament, they lost all six group matches. Zimbabwe again failed to make an impact, losing seven of eight matches in the subsequent event.

1992–1996: early years of Test status

Zimbabwe gained Test status in July 1992, becoming the ninth Test nation. They played their first match in October of that year against India at Harare Sports Club in Harare. They struggled in the early stages, managing to win only one of their first 30 matches in the longest format. Their sole victory came in a home match against Pakistan in early 1995.

1997–2002: the golden era

During this period, Zimbabwe cricket produced several legends, including wicketkeeper-batsman Andy Flower, who was once regarded as the best batter in the world. Other prominent players included his brother Grant Flower, all-rounders Andy Blignaut and Heath Streak, Murray Goodwin, and David Houghton. Alistair Campbell, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, and Neil Johnson also contributed significantly to the side.

In the late 1990s, they began winning Test matches against various nations, including a series victory over Pakistan in 1995. They have performed admirably in the 1999 World Cup, finishing fifth in the Super Sixes and narrowly missing a semi-final spot. During this tournament, they secured victories against India and South Africa. In addition, they consistently defeated all Test-playing nations in the ODI series, except Australia and India during this period. They notably defeated New Zealand in both home and away series in 2000–2001.

2003–2004: signs of decline

During the 2003 Cricket World Cup, England forfeited a match in Zimbabwe due to “security concerns.” Meanwhile, players Andy Flower and Henry Olonga protest by wearing black armbands for “mourning the death of democracy,” which eventually led to their dismissal. After this World Cup, many top players left the national team, leading to the formation of a new squad featuring– Travis Friend, Hamilton Masakadza, and Tatenda Taibu.

In 2004, Captain Heath Streak was sacked by the board, prompting a mass walkout of 14 players protesting against political interference. In late 2005, after a series of poor Test performances, Zimbabwe were voluntarily suspended from the red-ball format -with ICC encouragement.   By early 2006, there were demands raised for leadership changes within the organization. Zimbabwe’s government then administered the cricket team in January 2006, resulting in significant changes.

Ahead of the 2007 World Cup, players were asked to sign contracts under duress. Notably, the team performed poorly in the tournament, failing to overcome non-Test playing nations. In late 2007, Zimbabwe competed in South African domestic leagues to enhance their standards, and by 2009 they showed signs of progress.

2010–2013: return to Tests and continued financial problems

Zimbabwe began their 2011 World Cup campaign with a loss to Australia and followed up with a win against Canada. However, they failed to outplay New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan but managed a consolation win over Kenya in their last group-stage match.

After a six-year hiatus, Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket on August 4, 2011, facing off against Bangladesh and won the one-off match by 130 runs. Zimbabwe then clinched a five-match ODI series against Bangladesh 3–2, marking their maiden ODI series win against a Test-playing nation since 2006. They then struggled against, losing both T20Is and the first two ODIs. Despite the series defeat, they achieved a historic win by successfully chasing a 328-run target in the last ODI.

In June 2012, Zimbabwe won a T20 match against South Africa by 29 runs in an unofficial triangular tournament. They once again defeated the Proteas in the final to win the tournament. Later, Zimbabwe faced tough competition in the 2010 and 2012 World T20s, failing to progress past the group stages. Throughout this period, their financial situation worsened, which led to ICC assistance and player threats of boycotts.   

2014–2021: fall in rankings, loss to associates, and failure to reach 2019 World Cup 

In the 2014 World Twenty20, Zimbabwe were eliminated in the group stage in a triangular ODI series in the same year, Zimbabwe achieved a historic win against Australia, their first over them in 31 years. Despite this success, they failed to progress further in the tournament.

In the 2015 Cricket World Cup Zimbabwe had a mixed campaign, securing one win against the United Arab Emirates but suffering close defeats, including a debated fixture against Ireland. Their struggles continued as they had a disappointing campaign in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20.

In June 2017, Zimbabwe made an achievement, registering their first ODI win in Sri Lanka, successfully chasing 319 runs. Post 2017, they continued to struggle, with numerous defeats against Afghanistan and other teams.

In July 2019, the ICC imposed a suspension on Zimbabwe Cricket due to political interventions, preventing them from competing in ICC tournaments. After the ban was lifted in late 2019, Zimbabwe won their first-ever T20I series against Nepal. In April 2021, Zimbabwe secured their maiden T20I win against Pakistan,

2022–present

In the 2022 ICC men’s T20 World Cup qualifier, Zimbabwe secured semi-final spots in Group A alongside the United States. Zimbabwe then outplayed the Netherlands by 37 runs in the final, securing their qualification for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

In July 2022 and August 2022, Zimbabwe hosted Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20Is. Zimbabwe clinched the T20I series 2–1, marking their first T20I series win against the Bangla Tigers. They also triumphed in the ODI series 2–1. Star all-rounder Sikandar Raza showcased impressive performances for Zimbabwe and was eventually named player of the series in both formats.

Later, Zimbabwe played a three-match ODI series against Australia. They lost the rather two matches but overcame them in the final ODI by 5 runs, marking their first ODI win on Australian soil. Zimbabwe then secured qualification for the Super 12 of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe, having missed the 2019 World Cup, once again failed to qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup after not finishing in the top two of the Qualifier held at home.

Records

Test Matches

• Highest Team Total: 563/9 declared against West Indies, 27–31 July 2001, at Harare.
• Highest Individual Score: 266 by Dave Houghton against Sri Lanka, 20–24 October 1994, at Bulawayo.
• Most Runs in a Match: 341 by Andy Flower (142 and 199 not out) against South Africa, 7–11 September 2001, at Harare.
• Best Bowling Figures in an Innings: 8/109 by Paul Strang against New Zealand, 12–16 September 2000, at Bulawayo.
• Best Bowling Figures in a Match: 11/255 by Adam Huckle (6/109 and 5/146) against New Zealand, 25–29 September 1997, at Bulawayo.

One-Day Internationals

• Highest Team Total: 408/6 against the United States, 26 June 2023, at Harare.
• Highest Individual Score: 194* by Charles Coventry against Bangladesh, 16 August 2009, at Bulawayo.
• Best Bowling Figures: 6/19 by Henry Olonga against England, 28 January 2000, at Cape Town.

Twenty20 Internationals

• Highest Team Total: 236/5 against Singapore, 11 July 2022, at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
• Highest Individual Score: 94 by Solomon Mire against Pakistan, 4 July 2018, at Harare.
• Best Bowling Figures: 4/8 by Sikander Raza against the Netherlands, 17 July 2022, at Bulawayo.

Honours

Zimbabwe Men’s Cricket Team

African Games– Gold medal (1): 2023

International grounds

• Harare Sports Club, Harare
• Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo
• Queens Sports Club Bulawayo
• Takashinga Cricket Club, Harare
• Kwekwe Sports Club, Kwekwe
• Old Hararians, Harare

Zimbabwe women’s national cricket team

The Zimbabwe women’s national cricket team made its international debut in 2006 at the ICC Africa regional qualifier for the Women’s Cricket World Cup. They clinched this tournament and thus qualified for the 2008 World Cup Qualifier, where they finished fifth. Regrettably, they faced struggles in the 2011 World Cup Qualifier, losing all matches.

In the 2013 World Twenty20 Qualifier, Zimbabwe finished sixth in the eight-team table. However, they showed considerable improvement in the 2015 edition, finishing third and narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 2016 World Twenty20.

In April 2021, the ICC granted permanent Test and ODI status to all full-member women’s teams. By August 2024, Zimbabwe women’s team were included in the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship.

Records

T20 Internationals

• Highest Team Total: 205/3 against Mozambique, 13 September 2021, at Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1, Gaborone.
• Highest Individual Score: 80 by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano against Namibia, 20 April 2022, at Trans Namib Ground, Windhoek.
• Best Bowling Figures: 6/11 by Esther Mbofana against Eswatini, 11 September 2021, at Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1, Gaborone.

Honours

Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket Team

African Games– Gold medal (1): 2023