ZIMBABWE’S national cricket team, the Chevrons, capped a triumphant and unbeaten run in the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier on Saturday, thrilling the home crowd at Harare Sports Club by defeating rivals Namibia by seven wickets in the final.
After the perfect campaign secured their place at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, head coach Justin Sammons was quick to praise his side's flawless performance.
The victory, which saw Zimbabwe confidently chase down Namibia’s 167 for six, reaching 171 for three in 19.2 overs, brought the curtains down on a campaign marked by total dominance. The Chevrons swept through the group stage unbeaten against Uganda, Botswana, and Tanzania, before dispatching Kenya in the semi-final to seal their World Cup spot.
Sammons was proud of how the team navigated a difficult period leading up to the qualifiers, which saw them endure a challenging winter of losses against cricketing heavyweights like England, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
"I think the team is gelling beautifully. The guys understand their roles and the roles that they play within the team," Sammons said.
"We have grown closer and tighter. Especially when you experience tough times, you've got each other, that's it. And everyone else is firing criticism from outside our circle. So within the circle, we've got to back each other. And I think that actually helped pull us together."
"I am really proud of the way they have gelled and fought for each other. Throughout the tournament, different guys have put their hands up at different stages," he added.
The tournament belonged to the emergence of young top-order batter Brian Bennett, who was justly crowned both the Batsman of the Tournament and the Player of the Tournament.
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Bennett had a phenomenal run, smashing a magnificent century and three crucial half-centuries to spearhead the Chevrons' aggressive batting.
The final saw the steady hand of Tadiwanashe Marumani, whose unbeaten 74 anchored the chase.
Crucial contributions throughout the qualifiers also came from veteran Brendan Taylor and the explosive Ryan Burl.
On the bowling front, the pace battery delivered consistently, with Brad Evans, the excellent Richard Ngarava, and the imposing Blessing Muzarabani proving too much for the opposition. Ngarava led the way in the final, finishing with figures of three for 26.
With qualification secured, Sammons stressed that the team must now focus on raising its game to compete effectively at the World Cup next year.
"I think we just got to keep sort of doing what we've been doing, to be honest," Sammons explained. "The work we're putting in is excellent, and the way we're trying to play the game is right now... So it really is trying to do much of the same, keep drilling in those good habits that we're trying to form from a mindset point of view, skill point of view."
Most importantly, the coach highlighted the critical need for game time against stronger opposition.
"I know we've got Afghanistan 3 T20s coming up now, which will be brilliant, and it will test us. And then hopefully we get some more cricket leading into that World Cup, because that I think is hugely important."
Having navigated their toughest challenge yet — qualifying for the global showpiece — Zimbabwe's perfect run in the tournament has provided a powerful wave of momentum to carry them forward.
