Zimbabwe have embraced the challenge of facing some of cricket’s biggest names at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, with captain Richard Ngarava, vice-captain Sikandar Raza and head coach Justin Sammons welcoming the opportunity to compete on home soil.
Drawn in Group A alongside India, defending champions Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Qualifier A, Zimbabwe will play all five of their group matches at home as they co-host the tournament with South Africa and Namibia.
The announcement has brought the prospect of a home World Cup into sharper focus, presenting Zimbabwe with both a demanding cricketing assignment and an opportunity to showcase the country to a global audience.
“This is exciting news. This is a great opportunity for Zimbabwe to showcase ourselves,” Ngarava said.
“We have great tourism, great culture and great sportsmanship, so we are honoured to be hosting.
“We hope to do our best, especially for the fans who will be cheering for us all day long.”
Zimbabwe open against Qualifier A at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on 9 October before facing Afghanistan at the same venue on 11 October.
They then meet Australia at Harare Sports Club in the capital on 15 October and Pakistan four days later, with a marquee encounter against India in Victoria Falls on 24 October completing their group campaign.
Ngarava acknowledged the challenge but believes the calibre of the opposition will push Zimbabwe to raise their game.
“We are excited to play whatever teams come our way. All these teams are great teams with brilliant players, and I know that playing against them will push us to do our very best,” he said.
“It’s not going to be easy, but we will definitely do our best.”
For Raza, the opportunity carries a deeply personal significance: the chance to represent Zimbabwe at a home World Cup before his playing career ends.
“What excites me is the fact that I will finally be playing a home World Cup,” he said.
“It’s a great privilege, a great honour to play a home World Cup and to play in front of our own fans.
“I think that’s the most exciting part for me: before I hang up my boots, I have the honour to play in a home World Cup.”
Sammons sees the high-profile fixtures as an important platform for Zimbabwe’s players, offering exposure and a searching examination of their skills.
“India at Vic Falls will grab a lot of attention, as well as Pakistan. And then you’re also playing the current holders in Australia, so there are three massive games with a lot of exposure for our guys, which is brilliant for them to showcase their skills and challenge themselves against the best,” he said.
The coach was equally clear about the threat posed by Afghanistan, whose depth of match-winning talent makes the Bulawayo encounter a significant hurdle.
“They have a lot of X-factor in their team, with most of their players, if not all of them, involved in all these franchise leagues around the world. They’ve got so many match winners within their group,” Sammons said.
“Bulawayo probably suits them more than if they had to play us at Harare, so that’ll be a challenge in itself in terms of the conditions and having a home advantage.”
How much Zimbabwe can gain from familiar surroundings will be an important part of the campaign.
Raza believes the experience of playing on home wickets can provide an edge as visiting teams adjust.
“A home World Cup is always good in a way that you have that little bit of an added advantage because everybody’s coming to you, whereas you’ve been playing on those wickets,” he said.
“So adjusting to those wickets doesn’t take too long.”
Sammons expects conditions to present different challenges across the three venues, making the support from the stands particularly valuable.
“I think it’s more the crowds and the home support that’ll be a big factor than the conditions,” he said.
“We’re not sure what we’re going to get at Vic Falls. Obviously, there have been no games played there as yet, so it’s sort of an unknown.
“Bulawayo, we know, is just a really good cricket wicket and the team with the best skills will come out on top there.
“Harare, obviously, we know offers a little bit more bounce and pace.”
For all the excitement surrounding the draw, Sammons’ priority is the work required over the next year to ensure Zimbabwe can sustain their best cricket against strong opposition.
“In terms of us moving forward over the next year, it’s really going to come down to us challenging ourselves in terms of our skills, trying to keep improving upon those skills, because, at the end of the day, that is what’s going to count,” he said.
He believes progress in the team’s mindset has laid an important foundation, with execution under pressure now central to their preparations.
“I don’t see there being any issues from a mindset point of view. It’s just whether we can match the skill that is required, and at that intensity, for a long period,” Sammons said.
“So, like I said, it’s about continuing to improve upon those skill levels and challenge ourselves within that.”
Raza, meanwhile, called on supporters to help make the tournament an occasion worthy of its three African hosts.
“The message to the supporters is: make your voices count, as you’ve always done. Make your presence felt, as you’ve always done,” he said.
“Let’s have a good World Cup. Most importantly, let’s show the world that Africa can host a successful and a great World Cup.”
