Zimbabwe's Cricket Chief Just Landed a Powerful Global Role

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Tavengwa Mukuhlani becomes ICC deputy chair, the first Zimbabwean in the role, as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 ODI World Cup. His leadership could reshape cricket's future in Africa and beyond.

The ICC board has named Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani as its new deputy chair, positioning him for a key role as the region prepares to host the 2027 ODI World Cup. The appointment comes months after Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia jointly launched plans for the tournament in Sandton. ### Board Cites Mukuhlani's Regional Experience The ICC's announcement, released on Thursday, pointed to Mukuhlani's leadership record at Zimbabwe Cricket and his familiarity with the southern African cricket landscape. The board said his insight would support the ICC and its members as they work to deliver a tournament that returns the World Cup to Africa after a 24-year gap. Officials also linked the appointment to broader efforts to grow and develop cricket across the continent. Zimbabwe will co-host the ODI World Cup next October and November alongside South Africa and Namibia. The tournament marks a significant moment for Zimbabwean cricket, since the men's team will play in the event for the first time since 2015, a spot secured through the country's co-host status rather than qualification on the field. ### Mukuhlani's Record at Zimbabwe Cricket Mukuhlani has led Zimbabwe Cricket since 2015 and has won re-election three times since taking charge. He also serves on the ICC's finance and commercial affairs committee, giving him additional standing within the sport's governing structure. During his time at the helm, Zimbabwe Cricket worked its way out of significant debt and navigated a suspension imposed by the ICC over government interference in the board's affairs. The organization also secured a place for its women's team on the Future Tours Programme, a move that expanded fixture opportunities for Zimbabwean women's cricket. These achievements formed part of the ICC's reasoning for elevating him to the deputy chair position, a role that carries influence over governance decisions and commercial matters affecting the sport worldwide. ### First Zimbabwean in the Role, Succeeding Imran Khwaja Mukuhlani becomes the first Zimbabwean to hold the ICC deputy chair position, and his term will run until November 2027. He takes over from Imran Khwaja, the Singapore-based cricket administrator who first joined the ICC board in 2008 and has held various leadership positions since then. Speaking after the appointment, Mukuhlani referenced cricket's expanding global footprint, including its scheduled 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 advance shared priorities for the sport. He added that serving cricket's global interests would remain central to his approach in the new role. > "Cricket's growing reach, from new markets to the Olympic stage, shows what's possible when we work together," Mukuhlani said. "I'm ready to help drive that momentum." The appointment strengthens Zimbabwe's profile within global cricket governance at a time when the country is preparing for one of the biggest events in its cricketing history. With the World Cup less than a year away, Mukuhlani's dual responsibilities—leading Zimbabwe Cricket domestically while representing the region at the ICC's top table—will place him at the center of preparations for a tournament that organizers hope will leave a lasting impact on the sport's growth across Africa. For more cricket news and updates, follow Jeetwin Blog!

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