Zimbabwe, with its troubled past and uncertain future, is currently hosting the men’s Cricket World Cup qualifiers. The tournament features 10 teams vying for two spots in the World Cup in India later this year. Zimbabwe is hoping to qualify after missing out in 2018, when they also hosted the tournament. The scars of that campaign, which saw them miss out due to poor umpiring and a Super Six defeat to the United Arab Emirates, still linger.
This year’s qualifiers include Afghanistan, Ireland, Nepal, Scotland, the United States, West Indies and, of course, Zimbabwe. Nepal, with their rising star legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane, are hoping to cause an upset. Meanwhile, West Indies, twice winners of the World Cup in each of the white-ball formats, are in danger of slipping further down the rankings if they fail to qualify.
Although cricket is not the most popular sport in Zimbabwe, the national team is punching above its weight and winning games, and as a result, support is growing. The suspension of the national football team from competition since February 2022 due to government interference has also contributed to the rise in cricket’s popularity.
The tournament is being played on Zimbabwe’s notoriously flat pitches, but 9am starts give fast bowlers an advantage and are likely to challenge batters in the initial overs. Despite the country’s past troubles and uncertain future, the people of Zimbabwe remain resilient and focused on the present. As a waiter at a boundary-side pub at Harare Sports Club said, What do you mean tomorrow? We are talking about today.
