Zimbabwe's Cricket Boss Just Landed a Top ICC Role Before the 2027 World Cup

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The ICC has named Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani as its new deputy chair, putting him at the center of preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in southern Africa.

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani has been named deputy chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), a move that puts him at the heart of the sport's governance just as southern Africa prepares to host the 2027 ODI World Cup. The announcement came on a Thursday, only months after Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia jointly unveiled their tournament plans in Sandton. For Mukuhlani, it's a promotion that carries real weight. For Zimbabwean cricket, it's a moment worth pausing on. ### Why the ICC Picked Mukuhlani The board pointed to his leadership record at Zimbabwe Cricket and his deep familiarity with the southern African cricket scene. But there's more to it than that. The ICC wants this World Cup to land well. It's returning to Africa after a 24-year absence, and that gap matters. The board believes Mukuhlani's insight can help the ICC and its members deliver a tournament that actually leaves something behind, not just a few weeks of matches and a packed stadium or two. Officials also tied the appointment to broader efforts to grow cricket across the continent. That's a long-term play, and Mukuhlani is now part of it. ### Zimbabwe's Big Moment on Home Soil Zimbabwe will co-host the ODI World Cup next October and November alongside South Africa and Namibia. The men's team will play in the event for the first time since 2015. They got there through co-host status rather than on-field qualification, but that doesn't make it any less significant. For a cricket nation that has been through plenty of ups and downs, hosting a World Cup is a genuine milestone. ### What Mukuhlani Has Done at Zimbabwe Cricket He's led Zimbabwe Cricket since 2015 and has won re-election three times. He also sits on the ICC's finance and commercial affairs committee, which gives him extra standing in the sport's power structure. His track record includes: - Steering Zimbabwe Cricket out of significant debt - Navigating an ICC suspension over government interference in board affairs - Securing a place for the women's team on the Future Tours Programme, opening up more fixtures Those wins formed part of the ICC's reasoning for elevating him. The deputy chair role carries influence over governance decisions and commercial matters that affect cricket worldwide. ### A First for Zimbabwe, and a Big Pair of Shoes to Fill Mukuhlani becomes the first Zimbabwean to hold the deputy chair position. His term runs until November 2027. He takes over from Imran Khwaja, the Singapore-based administrator who joined the ICC board back in 2008 and has held various leadership roles since. After the appointment, Mukuhlani spoke about cricket's expanding global footprint, including its return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. He said he looked forward to supporting ICC chairman Jay Shah and the rest of the board as they push shared priorities. Serving cricket's global interests, he added, would stay central to his approach. > "Cricket's reach keeps growing, and I want to help make sure that growth benefits everyone involved in the game." That's the spirit, anyway. The real test will be in the months ahead. ### What This Means Going Forward With the World Cup less than a year away, Mukuhlani now carries two hats. He leads Zimbabwe Cricket domestically while representing the region at the ICC's top table. That puts him right in the middle of preparations for a tournament organizers hope will leave a lasting mark on cricket across Africa. It's a lot to juggle. But if his track record is anything to go by, he's used to navigating tricky situations. And for Zimbabwean cricket fans, seeing one of their own step into a global leadership role is something to feel good about. The 2027 ODI World Cup just got a lot more interesting.

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