International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah arrived in Zimbabwe yesterday, signaling strong support for the growth and revival of cricket not only in Zimbabwe but across the African continent.
Speaking to reporters at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Shah emphasized Africa’s untapped potential in the global cricket landscape and expressed hope that his visit would help reinvigorate the sport in the region.
“I’m thrilled to be here and grateful for the warm welcome from Zimbabwe Cricket,” Shah said. “Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, has a rich cricketing history and I believe it has the talent and passion to become a major force in world cricket again.”
He pointed to Zimbabwe’s golden era in the early 1990s—featuring stars like Edo Brandes and the Flower brothers—as a sign of what’s possible when African teams are properly supported and invested in.
“They had great players and incredible spirit,” he noted. “Now, it’s time to rebuild and uplift cricket across the continent. Zimbabwe can be a leader in that journey.”
Shah’s visit comes as the ICC prepares to host its board and committee meetings in Harare and Victoria Falls from April 10 to 13—marking the first time such high-level meetings are being held in Africa.
Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni called it a landmark moment not just for ZC, but for African cricket as a whole.
“This is historic for us,” said Makoni. “We’ve hosted international matches, but bringing the ICC board here is something different. It shows the world that African nations are ready to play a bigger role in global cricket.”
The meetings are expected to spark wider conversations about development, infrastructure, and investment in African cricket—a region long seen as full of potential but often lacking in resources.
