SportsPosted at: Oct 5 2026 5:31PM


Zimbabwe relishing massive home World Cup campaign

Harare, Oct 5 (UNI) The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will return to Africa after 24 years as Zimbabwe co-hosts the much-awaited extravaganza with South Africa and Namibia, starting October 2 next year.

The co-hosts are among the 10 teams that have already sealed their spot for the marquee tournament.

For all-rounder Sikandar Raza, it’s an opportunity he is eager to enjoy every bit of.
“What excites me is the fact that I will finally be playing a home World Cup,” Raza was quoted by Zimbabwe Cricket. “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.”
Zimbabwe are slotted into Group A alongside defending champions Australia, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, with another spot remaining to be claimed via the three-team Super Series that will
be played in Windhoek, Namibia, starting October 2.
Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons listed the high-profile clashes for the co-hosts.
“India at Victoria Falls will grab a lot of attention, as well as Pakistan,” Sammons said.
“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.”
While Afghanistan may not have a World Cup title to show for unlike the aforementioned sides, Sammons and Zimbabwe are well aware of the threat they possess, having defeated former title holders England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the previous edition of the tournament, according to
ICC.
“They (Afghanistan) 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.
Zimbabwe will take confidence from their display at this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where they topped the group stage, getting the better of Sri Lanka as well as Australia.
Among their key performers was the pace duo of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, who shared 19 wickets between each other.
“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.”
“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.”
Zimbabwe will kickstart their Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 campaign in Bulawayo on October 9 against the top-ranked side to qualify from the three-team Super Series.
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