President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday honoured the men’s national cricket team, the Chevrons, at State House, praising their historic run to the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup and describing their victory over Australia as a moment that “captured the imagination of the cricketing world.”
Addressing players, officials, and dignitaries at a formal presentation ceremony, President Mnangagwa said the team’s performance had demonstrated that Zimbabwe is “worthy of participating at the global stage across various sporting disciplines.”
“The historic victory over Australia stands out as a defining moment in the Chevrons’ campaign,” the President said.
“It was a victory that captured the imagination of the cricketing world and re-ignited national pride here at home. The result sent a strong message that Zimbabwe is capable of overcoming the most formidable teams.”
The Chevrons’ progression to the Super 8 stage marked one of the team’s best performances in recent global tournaments.
President Mnangagwa described the players as “true ambassadors of Zimbabwe’s national character of resilience and an inherent warrior spirit,” adding that they had helped positively profile “brand Zimbabwe” internationally.
The President also commended Zimbabwe Cricket for its development efforts, including new facilities in Victoria Falls, Necma Valley Country Club, and Masvingo Sports Club.
He congratulated the board for successfully hosting the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, calling it “a clear testament of our country’s organisational capacity and professionalism.”
President Mnangagwa announced that his government stands ready to provide guarantees and support for Zimbabwe to co-host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next year alongside South Africa and Namibia.
“This presents a historic opportunity to once again showcase on the global stage the unique hospitality of our people and passion for cricket,” he said.
The President urged the Chevrons to “go further, aim higher, write new chapters in Zimbabwean sport,” while thanking supporters in the stands and from the diaspora who “carried the spirit of Zimbabwe and created a home away from home atmosphere.”
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