The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket chairman, Tavengwa Mukuhlani has expressed his joy after the country got the rights to host next year’s 2019 International Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier.
The decision to award the tournament to Zimbabwe was made at the conclusion of ICC board meetings in Auckland, New Zealand last Friday.
Zimbabwe saw off a joint bid by Ireland and Scotland as well as a single show of interest from United Arab Emirates.
Matches will take place at four venues, two in Bulawayo, one in Kwekwe as well as a single setting in Harare. Bulawayo Athletic Club, Queens Sports Club, Kwekwe Sports Club and Harare Sports Club are the venues for the Qualifier. The tournament will be held in March next year.
West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea have booked their place at the Qualifier while the other four teams are still to be decided. Mukuhlani, part of the ICC highest decision makers who gathered in Auckland from 8 to 13 October said he was delighted to have secured the Qualifier for the country.
“I am absolutely thrilled and I would like to share this joy together with the people of Zimbabwe back home. As a nation, this is something to be really proud of and I would like to thank the ICC and our fellow members most sincerely for their faith in us,’’ Mukuhlani said.
He is convinced that the pronouncement by ICC to have the Qualifier is an apparent indication that ICC wants to see Zimbabwe realise their potential of being influential in the game globally. He was quick to point out that they had to work hard for the tournament to come to Zimbabwe.
“I also believe the decision to give us the right to host the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier event is a clear reflection that the ICC is very keen to see Zimbabwe realising its potential to become a global cricket powerhouse again. Of course, the right to host the event was not given to us on a silver platter. We had to work endless hours to ensure our bid was the best,’’ the ZC boss said.
He is convinced that with the Qualifier coming at a time the game was enjoying a stable climb in the country, it will leave a lasting legacy.
“We are confident that the qualifier event, coming at a time our cricket is enjoying a steady rise at both international and domestic levels, will leave a lasting legacy. So, the stage is set and we are ready to deliver a memorable and eminently successful tournament come March 2018,’’ Mukuhlani declared.
National team coach, Heath Streak has expressed his delight with the Qualifier being played in Zimbabwe as that gives his side a great chance of making it to England.
“The advantage of playing at home is massive, for us to play in our own conditions, in front of our own crowds is good so hopefully we can use that to good cause when we have those games,’’ Streak said.
Graeme Cremer, the national team captain is also pleased to have the tournament being held in the country.
“I am very excited, to have it in our own country, in front of our home fans, it’s good for sport in general and good for the country because we know it will lift the country, a big tournament like that being held here in our backyard will be great for us,’’ Cremer said.
The ICC decision makers also gave the green light to a pink ball day/night four-day Boxing Day Test match between Zimbabwe and South Africa in Port Elizabeth. In what is yet another seal of approval for the country, Zimbabwe will host an ICC board meeting in Victoria Falls in April next year.
Meanwhile, West Indies take on Zimbabwe A in a three-day warm up match which gets underway at Bulawayo Athletic Club today. West Indies are preparing for two Tests against Zimbabwe with the first starting at Queens Sports Club on Saturday. -@Mdawini_29
