mbulelo smpofu
Brandon Moyo, Brandonmalvin9@gmail.com
THE Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) board has extended Givemore Makoni’s contract as managing director by four years.
The decision was one of the key resolutions passed at a board meeting held on Monday.
Makoni has been managing director since December 2020, after initially assuming the role in an acting capacity from September 2018. In a statement, ZC chairman, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, congratulated Makoni on the contract extension and lauded his contributions to the organisation and the game.
“Makoni has shown exceptional leadership and dedication in stabilising and repositioning Zimbabwe Cricket during challenging times. His vision has been pivotal in securing financial sustainability and laying the groundwork for a brighter future.
“As we prepare to co-host major global tournaments, including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027, we are confident that he will continue to drive the growth of our cricket to the highest levels. On behalf of the board, I congratulate him on this well-deserved contract extension and wish him continued success,” said Mukuhlani.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan leg-spinning wizard, Rashid Khan, is set to make a return to red-ball cricket after he was named in the 18-member squad to face Zimbabwe in a two-Test series.
The first Test gets underway on Boxing Day at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The 26-year-old Khan last played Test cricket in 2021 against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in a series, which ended 1–1.
He missed his team’s recent Tests on medical advice to heal a back injury, for which he underwent surgery early this year.
Khan has five Test caps since making his debut in June 2018 against India. Other new additions to the squad are left-arm top-order batter Sediqullah Atal, who got his maiden call-up.
Ismat Alam, a young medium-fast bowling all-rounder, has also been called to the Test squad for the first time after impressive performances in the Ahmad Shah Abdali First-Class Competitions, where he scored 723 runs and took 12 wickets.
Similarly, slow left-arm spinner Zahir Shehzad has also been added to the team after some impressive performances in domestic First-Class competitions. Bashir Ahmad Afghan, a promising left-arm fast bowler, is the third player to receive his first call-up after picking up 30 wickets at an impressive average of 17.36.
The squad comprises seven uncapped players, including all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, left-arm fast-bowler Fareed Ahmad Malik, and top-order batter Riaz Hassan.
Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB’s interim chief selector, said Khan’s return to Test cricket is a sign of a bright future for their team. He is confident that the selected squad will fare well against the Chevrons in the two historic Tests.
“Rashid Khan returns to the Test squad, which is a promising sign for our red-ball game going forward. The rest of the team underwent good preparations recently in Nangarhar province, which featured 19 players and all the support staff to work with the players and ensure full preparation for the series.
“We have thoroughly monitored the proceedings and have picked the squad which includes several new faces, including Ismat Alam, Bashir Ahmad, and Zahir Shehzad, who have performed well during the recent Ahmad Shah Abdali FC Tournament,” said Sulimankhil.
The Tests are pencilled in for December 26 to 30 and January 2 to 5.
