Chawaguta is no stranger to the role, having previously served as Zimbabwe’s head coach back in 2008. Presently, he leads the provincial first-class side Tuskers and has also contributed as a batting consultant for the Zimbabwe women’s team over the years.

The coaching staff alongside Chawaguta includes Stuart Matsikenyeri (Assistant Coach/Batting Coach), Steve Kirby (Bowling Coach), Erick Chauluka (Fielding Coach), Walter Karimanzira (Fitness and Conditioning Trainer), Amato Machikicho (Physiotherapist), Alistair Chambe (Team Doctor), and Mufaro Chiturumani (Analyst), according to an ICC report.

Chawaguta’s appointment follows the resignation of former coach Dave Houghton on December 20, a move that came after Zimbabwe missed out on qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup via the Africa Qualifier.

Zimbabwe’s journey in the Africa Qualifier saw them finishing third in the table with four wins and two defeats. Despite a strong comeback after initial losses to Namibia and Uganda, Zimbabwe fell short, with Namibia and Uganda securing the two qualifying spots for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka for Zimbabwe kicks off on January 6, featuring a three-match ODI series followed by three T20Is. All matches are scheduled to be held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Sikandar Raza’s exceptional all-round performance proved pivotal as Zimbabwe clinched a resounding six-wicket victory over the Netherlands in their Cricket World Cup Group A qualifier on Tuesday.

After displaying his prowess with the ball by securing four Dutch wickets, Raza further showcased his talent with the bat, hammering an entertaining unbeaten century off a mere 54 deliveries. This remarkable feat not only earned him accolades but also etched his name as the Zimbabwean player with the fastest hundred in one-day internationals (ODIs).

Batting first, the Netherlands set a formidable target of 315 for six wickets, with Vikramjit Singh contributing 88 runs, skipper Scott Edwards adding 83, and Max O’Dowd scoring 59. Saqib Zulfiqar’s unbeaten 34 off 34 balls further bolstered their total within the allotted 50 overs at Harare Sports Club.

Raza emerged as the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 55 runs in his ten overs. Zimbabwe’s run chase appeared comfortable throughout, thanks to Sean Williams’ rapid 91 off 58 balls, supported by the contributions of openers Craig Ervine (50 runs) and Joylord Gumbie (40 runs).

Ultimately, it was Raza who sealed the victory in style, smashing a winning six over mid-off, clearing the boundary with a strike of immense power. His display of aggressive batting included three consecutive sixes off Shariz Ahmad.

“I just wanted to go out there,” expressed the 37-year-old Pakistani-born all-rounder, who secured the win with a significant 55 balls remaining. “The platform was already set, I just wanted to stay humble and respect every ball, but it was there, I went for it. As long as we win the game, we are happy, and we are happy for each other’s performance.”

In another Group A match, Nepal, who suffered an opening defeat to Zimbabwe, triumphed over the United States by six wickets. Shayan Jahangir, born in Karachi and serving as wicketkeeper, played a crucial role with an unbeaten century, helping the US team reach a total of 207 all out off 49 overs after recovering from a precarious 18 for four wickets. Sushant Modani (42) and Gajanand Singh (26) made notable contributions, but the remaining batsmen struggled, with only two reaching double digits. Karan Khatri Chhetri and Gulsan Jha combined to claim seven wickets for Nepal.

Nepal comfortably chased down the target, with Bhim Sharki’s unbeaten 77 and contributions of 39 runs each from Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee. They secured victory with 42 balls to spare, ending at 211 for four wickets.

The United States suffered their second defeat after previously losing to the West Indies in their opening game.

The tournament continues on Wednesday with Group B matches featuring Ireland against Scotland and Oman taking on the United Arab Emirates in Bulawayo.

Only two out of the ten participating teams in this three-week qualifier will secure a spot in the World Cup, scheduled to be held in India in October and November.

Former cricketer of Zimbabwe and former pace bowling coach of Bangladesh Heath Streak is seriously ill. The former captain of the country and one of the best cricketers in their history is dying of cancer. His chances of survival are said to be slim. Cricket-related website Cricbuzz reported this news.

The former Zimbabwe cricketer is being flown to South Africa for treatment. David Coltart, the country’s former education and culture minister, announced the streak’s health on Twitter. He said a streak can survive only if something incredible happens. He said, ‘This is a prayer war for cricket lovers in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world. Heath Streak, one of our country’s greatest-ever cricketers is seriously ill.

He desperately needs our prayers. Praying for him and his family.’ Zimbabwean journalist Mike Madoda wrote, ‘Heath streak is at the end of his life. His family left for South Africa from England. Only a miracle can save him. I pray.’

The streak debuted against South Africa in 1993. He has played 189 ODIs and 65 Tests in the jersey of Zimbabwe. This all-rounder has 1990 runs and 216 wickets in Tests. He has also taken 2943 runs and 239 wickets in ODI cricket. Streak has also led the country in 21 Tests and 68 ODI matches. He played the last match in Zimbabwe jersey in 2005.

Streak entered coaching after playing. In May 2014, he was appointed as the bowling coach of the Bangladesh national team. He held this duty till 2016. In 2021, the ICC banned him for 8 years for match-fixing. However, the 49-year-old cricketer has always denied the allegations.

Zimbabwe’s Peter Moor will play for Ireland this time. Moore is looking forward to making his debut in the Irish jersey with the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh. He talked about the cricket culture of the two countries. Like the ODIs and T20s, he also called Bangladesh dangerous in Tests. According to him, the graph of Bangladesh cricket’s development in the last few years is an example for others.

Bangladesh vs Ireland T20I series is underway. Ireland on Thursday (March 30) conducted special practice with the red ball ahead of the Dhaka Test. Peter Moor was found there. From 2016 to 2019, he played 78 matches in Zimbabwe’s jersey. Instead of his passport, Moore is now fully Irish. The jersey in which the new journey is going to start against Bangladesh. Interestingly, the last Test for Zimbabwe was also in Sylhet, against Bangladesh.

Peter Moore said, “I have many memories in Bangladesh. Apart from the national team, I have been here several times for this team. There will be ups and downs in cricket. But now my focus is all around Ireland. My journey wasn’t easy. But I want to complete it with this match. ’

Moore, who has played eight Tests for Zimbabwe, believes that the Dhaka Test will be difficult. There are also regrets about not getting enough matches for small teams in white clothes. “Bangladesh has been playing great cricket in recent times. But in this format, we have come with a lot of preparation. But sadly, we have played only three Tests in the last five years. I think the ICC should be more generous here. But in the next two months, we will play four Tests. It’s also a great thing.

Zimbabwe has many records of defeating Pakistan. However, this is the first time the African team has defeated this superpower of cricket on the T20 World Cup stage. There is more excitement among the country’s cricket fans. The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, floated in that euphoria.

Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by 1 run in the last ball on Thursday night. Soon after, Mnangagwa tweeted congratulating the Sikandar kings. In that tweet, he added the name of world-famous comedian Mr. Bean. Where did Mr. Bean come from in winning and losing on the cricket field?

To solve this mystery, let’s first know about tweets. The President of Zimbabwe wrote, ‘What a great victory for Chevrons (Zimbabwe cricket team nickname), congratulations. Next time send the real Mr. Bean….’ Why did the president drag the noncricketer Mr. Bean in his tweet about the cricket game between the two countries?

We have to go back a few days to clear it up. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Twitter handles tweeted pictures of Pakistan players training ahead of the match against Zimbabwe on 25 October. There, a Zimbabwean cricket fan commented, ‘We Zimbabweans will never forgive you. You once brought the fake Pakistani Bean instead of presenting the real Mr. Bean Rowan. It will be solved tomorrow, pray for rain.’

Now you have to ride the time machine 6 years ago. Australian media Fox Sports reported that a show was held in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare in 2016 where the world-famous actor Mr. Bean was supposed to come. Zimbabweans flocked to see him by buying tickets for $10, but Mr. Bean wasn’t there. Pakistani comedian Asif Mohammad performed instead of Bean, the organizer of the event. Asif looks like Mr. Bean actor Rowan Atkinson. Both look very similar. But fake. The audience was disappointed to see Bean. Asif’s performance with local artists is not like that.

The Pakistani newspaper “Dawn” brought up that incident. “Zimbabweans were angry with us for not sending the original (Mr. Bean) but sending a fake copy,” the paper said before Thursday’s match but thanks to them that instead of filing a case, they just called us a fraud on Twitter. Now they have warned us in the field. Because this is not going to be an ordinary match – the Zimbabwean players will take revenge.’

And Sikandar Raja-Craig Irvin extinguished the fire of revenge that Zimbabweans had to bear by winning the match.
On that occasion, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa did not miss the opportunity to poke Pakistan by raising the issue of fraud 6 years ago.