Hamilton Masakadza stands down as Zimbabwe director of cricket

Hamilton Masakadza has stepped down from the position of director of cricket for Cricket Zimbabwe after the team failed to qualify for the 2024 edition of the T20 World Series in the USA and the Caribbean. Masakadza had taken the post in October 2019 after he bid adieu to his cricket career as an all rounder in the international arena. 

Masakadza’s abdication comes three months after Dave Hougton had stood down as the head coach. 

"This decision has come about after careful consideration of the successes and failures of our cricket and my responsibilities," Masakadza stated in his resignation letter. "As much as there has been a lot of progress in my tenure, the fact remains that we are the only Full Member nation not participating at the next T20 World Series after our shock loss to Uganda.

"This was indeed one of the lowest points of my career and I take full responsibility as Director of Cricket."

Under Masakadza’s reign, though, Zimbabwe had managed to qualify for the 2022 T20 World Series in Australia, where they progressed to the Super 12s. The 40 year old has also oversaw the promising staging of the Men’s T20 World Series Qualifier 2022 and the Men’s Cricket World Series Qualifier 2023 in Zimbabwe. Masakadza is now looking to serve Zimbabwe Cricket in a different capacity. 

"This decision was a very difficult one to make and I remain fully committed to Zimbabwe Cricket and would very much be interested in serving in a different capacity as the organisation looks forward to hosting the Men's Under-19 World Series in 2026 and the Men's 50-over World Series in 2027," Masakadza said.