THE ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has group-stage matches slated for Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfields, Harare, highlighting the remarkable strides made in Zimbabwean cricket since the country was awarded Test status in 1992.
Finally, cricket in Zimbabwe has truly come home.
Takashinga first hosted the Women’s World Cup Global Qualifiers before the tournament was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2023, it also hosted the Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers. Now, hosting seven group matches of the Under-19 World Cup has put the spotlight firmly on the country’s cricket development.
Boasting a new world-class clubhouse, refurbished nets, well-cured centre wickets, and increased seating, the venue was impossible for ICC inspectors to overlook.
Takashinga is the spiritual home of black cricket in Zimbabwe, nurturing players who have gone on to represent the nation at the highest levels.
The club’s journey began with teams like Bionics, Glen Stragglers, Hungwe, and Old Winstonians, which eventually morphed into Takashinga Cricket Club. The aim was always to spread the game and ensure every black player had a place to call home.
Ironically, as cricket “comes home,” the ICC Under-19 World Cup spotlights alumni such as Hamilton Masakadza (tournament director), Tatenda Taibu (tournament ambassador), and Elton Chigumbura (Zimbabwe Under-19 coach).
Moses Chitare, a former Takashinga player and administrator now serving as general manager of the Eagles, said hosting the games brings the sport closer to the community and underscores the sacrifices made to make cricket an inclusive sport.
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“Hosting of the games at Takashinga gives a better understanding and appreciation from the society or the people that are in the surrounding environment of Takashinga to understand that the big names that they recognise out there. There were sacrifices that were made during the process of trying to make it an inclusive sport, despite whatever privileges one may get,” he said.
“So by hosting these games, bringing it closer to home, people are going to be able to attend these games. So the young generation and the senior generation and everyone else will get to understand and appreciate that, despite your background, despite the privileges given to you, your hard work is what will be rewarded, taking away whatever society might have put into people that cricket is for the privileged.”
Chitare is already looking forward to hosting the senior men’s teams next year.
“From our humble beginnings, we actually never thought we would be hosting a World Cup, but with the big dreams, everything is possible. We are dreaming even bigger, so the next World Cup that will be hosted in Zimbabwe, Takashinga is the host and will be even bigger, hosting the senior men’s teams,” added Chitare.
Local vendors are also benefiting. Mai Farai, who runs a vending stand at Machipisa shopping centre, welcomed the tournament. “It’s a very good opportunity for us to maximise sales during the tournament and send our children to school from that money,” she said.
“In the golden days, football matches at Gwanzura Stadium used to be our cash cow; it is now a white elephant, but we now look towards Takashinga because now and then, there is always something happening there.”
When Givemore Makoni and Stephen Mangongo co-founded Takashinga Cricket Club almost two-and-a-half decades ago, they envisioned a club that would produce world-class players.
Today, it has produced seven national team captains: Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Masakadza, Chigumbura, Richard Ngarava, Regis Chakabva and Chamu Chibhabha.
George Mutandwa, a Highfield-born cricket fan, praised the transformation.
“Highfield is my home, I was born here, and I always come back to see my parents now and then. I was pleasantly surprised two weeks ago when I passed through the club and saw how it had been transformed into a world-class venue,” he said.
“I took the academic route to be where I am today, but I remember many talented cricketers in my class, some who have made it and some who fell by the wayside. But to see how pristine Takashinga is, it means people from the ghetto now have access to great facilities, and don't be surprised to see them dominating the game again.”
The celebration of Takashinga hosting World Cup matches goes beyond club pride — it’s about the vision, perseverance and unbreakable spirit of being Zimbabwean. From Zimbabwe Grounds to a global cricket stage, Takashinga now welcomes the world’s future cricket stars.
