ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) deserves credit for delivering one of the country's most significant sporting infrastructure since independence.
The International Cricket Council's confirmation that the Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls will host matches during the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is a victory not just for cricket, but for Zimbabwe as a whole.
For years, building a world-class cricket venue in one of Africa's leading tourism destinations seemed an ambitious dream. Today, that vision is close to reality. With the stadium reportedly 90% complete and set to host domestic matches in October, ZC has demonstrated what careful planning, commitment and long-term vision can achieve.
The benefits extend far beyond cricket. Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and Zimbabwe's premier tourist destination, will showcase the country's beauty to millions of viewers while boosting the business of hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport companies and other local organisations. The stadium will also leave a lasting legacy, giving Zimbabwe a modern international venue capable of hosting major events long after the tournament ends, while inspiring future generations of cricketers, particularly in Matabeleland North.
Zimbabwe Cricket has done its part. Now the government must play its part.
The greatest threat to maximising the tournament's benefits is not the stadium, but the poor state of the 440-kilometre Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road. Anyone who has used the route knows its condition: long stretches riddled with potholes, broken shoulders and uneven surfaces. Rehabilitation is underway, but progress has been painfully slow — only 73,4 kilometres have been completed and opened to traffic, with funding shortages and contractor delays hampering the project. At the current pace, there is serious doubt about whether the highway will be ready before the 2027 World Cup.
That cannot be the lasting impression on visitors. While many international tourists will fly directly to Victoria Falls, countless Zimbabweans will rely on road transport to Victoria Falls.
Cricket should not be reserved for the elite — a successful World Cup must be as accessible to local fans as to overseas visitors.
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The highway is also a vital regional corridor linking Zimbabwe with South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia. Visitors travelling by road should be welcomed by safe, efficient infrastructure, not one that reflects years of neglect.
With the World Cup fast approaching, Zimbabwe no longer has the luxury of time. The government must treat the tournament as more than a sporting event: it is a fixed deadline and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to demonstrate the country's ability to deliver critical infrastructure.
Upgrading the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is not just about cricket — it is an investment in tourism, trade, public safety and economic growth. Long after the World Cup ends, Zimbabweans will still be using the road; better infrastructure will cut transport costs, improve safety, stimulate business and strengthen access to one of the country's most important economic hubs.
The World Cup will place Zimbabwe firmly in the international spotlight. Television audiences will admire the splendour of Victoria Falls and the country's ability to stage a global sporting event — but visitors will judge Zimbabwe by more than what happens inside the stadium. They will also remember the journey.
Zimbabwe Cricket has shown vision and leadership by delivering a venue worthy of the world's biggest cricket tournament. The government must now match that ambition by accelerating the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, resolving funding bottlenecks and ensuring contractors meet deadlines.
A state-of-the-art stadium deserves a world-class gateway. Zimbabwe has a clear deadline — there will be no excuses for failing to complete one of the country's most strategic highways before the first ball is bowled in Victoria Falls.
