Zimbabwe's Cricket Chief Just Landed One of the ICC's Biggest Jobs

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-19

### A Historic Appointment for Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani has been named deputy chair of the ICC board, giving him a seat at the very top table of global cricket. The announcement came on Thursday, just months after Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia jointly unveiled their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Sandton. It's a big deal — and not just for Zimbabwe. Mukuhlani becomes the first Zimbabwean to hold the role, and his term runs through November 2027. That timeline matters, because the World Cup lands on his doorstep next October and November. ### Why the ICC Picked Mukuhlani The board pointed to two things: his leadership record at Zimbabwe Cricket and his deep familiarity with the southern African cricket landscape. His insight, officials said, will help the ICC and its members deliver a tournament that brings the World Cup back to Africa after a 24-year gap. That's a long wait. The last time the sport's biggest event touched African soil feels like a lifetime ago for fans in the region. There's also a broader goal at play. The ICC linked the appointment to its push to grow cricket across the continent — not just host a tournament, but leave something behind. ### What Zimbabwe Brings to the Table Zimbabwe will co-host the ODI World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia. The men's team will play in the event for the first time since 2015, though it secured that spot through co-host status rather than on-field qualification. Still, for Zimbabwean cricket, it's a significant moment. And Mukuhlani's track record suggests he's used to navigating tricky situations. ### Mukuhlani's Record 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 governance structure. Under his watch, Zimbabwe Cricket: - Worked its way out of significant debt - Navigated an ICC suspension over government interference in board affairs - Secured a place for its women's team on the Future Tours Programme, expanding fixture opportunities Those wins clearly factored into the ICC's decision to elevate him. ### First Zimbabwean in the Role Mukuhlani takes over from Imran Khwaja, the Singapore-based administrator who joined the ICC board in 2008 and held several leadership positions since. His term as deputy chair runs until November 2027. After the appointment, Mukuhlani spoke about cricket's expanding global footprint, including its return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. "I look forward to supporting ICC chairman Jay Shah and the rest of the board as they advance shared priorities for the sport," he said, adding that serving cricket's global interests would remain central to his approach. ### What This Means for the 2027 World Cup With the World Cup less than a year away, Mukuhlani now carries dual responsibilities. He leads Zimbabwe Cricket domestically while representing the region at the ICC's top table. That puts him at the center of preparations for a tournament organizers hope will leave a lasting impact on cricket's growth across Africa. The stakes are high — for Zimbabwe, for the region, and for a sport trying to broaden its reach. Whether Mukuhlani can deliver on both fronts is the question everyone will be watching.