Mnangagwa hosts Zimbabwe senior men's cricket team

Zimbabwe national cricket team seamer Richard Ngarava has described the team's meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a "surreal" and highly motivating experience, saying it will inspire the Chevrons to achieve even more success on the global stage.

The Zimbabwe senior men's team was hosted at State House following their impressive ICC T20 World Cup campaign, where they reached the Super Eight stage and recorded notable victories, including a landmark win over Australia. The team's performance has been widely praised as a breakthrough moment for Zimbabwean cricket.

Ngarava said the recognition from the Head of State was both humbling and encouraging, noting that players often only realise the impact of their achievements when they are acknowledged at national level.

He added that the President's support demonstrated a strong commitment to youth development and sport as a tool for national unity, saying such backing provides a foundation for future success.

The visit comes at a time when several standout performers from the squad, including Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Brian Bennett, and Blessing Muzarabani, have secured franchise opportunities in major international leagues such as the Pakistan Super League and the Indian Premier League.

President Mnangagwa praised the Chevrons for their resilience and fighting spirit during the tournament, describing them as ambassadors of Zimbabwe's national character and praising their ability to raise the country's profile globally.

He highlighted their historic win over Australia and progression to the Super Eight stage as key achievements that reignited national pride.

The President also reaffirmed government support ahead of Zimbabwe's preparations to co-host the ICC Men's ODI World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia in 2027, calling it a major opportunity to showcase the country's hospitality and sporting capacity.

He commended Zimbabwe Cricket for recent developments, including successful hosting of the ICC Under-19 World Cup and infrastructure expansion efforts, such as new facilities in Victoria Falls aimed at developing grassroots talent.

The engagement is expected to further boost morale within the Chevrons as they build towards upcoming international competitions.