Ahead of the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) appointed Walter Chawaguta as the team’s interim head coach. ZCB made the decision after Dave Houghton resigned from his position as Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
This will be Walter Chawaguta’s second time coaching the Zimbabwe cricket team after 2008. Zawaguta is currently the head coach of the country’s Tuskers provincial first-class team and has also served as a batting consultant for the women’s cricket team. of Zimbabwe.
Walter Chawaguta named Zimbabwe interim coach
Walter Chawaguta will also have support staff including Stuart Matsikenyeri as assistant and batting coach, Steve Kirby as bowling coach, Erick Chauluka as fielding coach, Walter Karimanzira as fitness and conditioning coach, Amato Machikicho as physiotherapist, Alistair Chambe as Team Doctor and Mufaro Chiturumani as Analyst.
Dave Houghton was appointed coach of the Zimbabwe cricket team in 2022 and spent 18 months with the team.
In his resignation, Houghton wrote: “I have always had Zimbabwean cricket close to my heart and whilst my national team training comes to an end, I would love to be involved in other areas,” Houghton said in a ZC statement. “The talent base in Zimbabwe is huge. How we take players from being talented to performing well on the international stage is a great project to be involved in.”
Dave Houghton is expected to be given a new role in the Zimbabwe Cricket Board and will be involved in the development of cricketers in the country.
Zimbabwe They have developed as a team in recent years and have also provided brilliant competition to other strong teams. With the upcoming tour against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe cricket will aim to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Zimbabwe’s poor performance in ICC qualifiers
Zimbabwe after showing a decent performance in 2022 T20 World Cup We haven’t been in the best shape in recent months. Recently, Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the African region and lost to Namibia and Uganda. Zimbabwe finished third in the table and was able to win four of the six matches.
Apart from the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe also failed to book a place in the 2023 ODI World Cup after losing to Scotland in the Super Six stage of the tournament. However, Zimbabwe topped Group A and won four out of four matches but could not overcome the final hurdle.
Zimbabwe showed an inspiring performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup and defeated top teams like Pakistan. Zimbabwe also gave tough competition to other teams and at one point caused difficulties for Pakistan to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
Zimbabwe’s tour of Sri Lanka will begin on January 6 and they will aim to defeat the Lankan Lions as they have not been in good form of late either.
