Zimbabwe's Cricket Chief Just Landed a Major Global Role

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-19

When you think about the balance of power in world cricket, Zimbabwe isn't usually the first name that comes to mind. That might be about to change. The ICC board has appointed Tavengwa Mukuhlani, who's been running Zimbabwe Cricket since 2015, as its new deputy chair. It's a move that puts him right at the center of the sport's decision-making just as southern Africa gears up to host the 2027 ODI World Cup. So why does this matter? Let's break it down. ### A Tournament Coming Home After 24 Years Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia are co-hosting the ODI World Cup next October and November. That's a big deal on its own, because the tournament hasn't been played in Africa for 24 years. For Zimbabwe specifically, it's huge. The men's team will play in the World Cup for the first time since 2015, and they got there as co-hosts rather than through the qualifying grind. That takes some pressure off, but it also raises expectations. Mukuhlani's new ICC role means he'll be helping shape how that tournament comes together, while also leading Zimbabwe Cricket at home. That's a lot of responsibility in one pair of hands. ### What He's Actually Achieved You don't get elevated to a role like this without a track record. Mukuhlani has led Zimbabwe Cricket for nearly a decade and won re-election three times. He also sits on the ICC's finance and commercial affairs committee, so he already knows his way around the sport's money and governance. Here's what stands out from his tenure: - Zimbabwe Cricket climbed out of serious debt during his leadership - The organization survived an ICC suspension over government interference and came back from it - The women's team earned a spot on the Future Tours Programme, which means more fixtures and more exposure Those aren't small wins. Running a national cricket board is hard enough without debt and suspensions in the mix. ### The First Zimbabwean to Hold This Seat Mukuhlani becomes the first Zimbabwean to serve as ICC deputy chair. His term runs until November 2027, and he's taking over from Imran Khwaja, the Singapore-based administrator who's been on the ICC board since 2008. "I look forward to supporting ICC chairman Jay Shah and the rest of the board as they advance shared priorities for the sport," Mukuhlani said after the appointment. He also pointed to cricket's growing global footprint, including its return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. That's a sign he's thinking beyond just the next World Cup. ### Why This Matters Beyond Zimbabwe On paper, this is a governance story. But it's really about representation. Having a southern African voice at the top table during a World Cup hosted in the region isn't just symbolic; it shapes decisions about scheduling, funding, and how the game grows across the continent. With the World Cup less than a year away, Mukuhlani will be juggling two jobs at once: running Zimbabwe Cricket domestically and helping steer the ICC globally. If he pulls it off, it could change how the sport sees African cricket for years to come. That's the kind of story worth watching.