View source for Zimbabwe national cricket team

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{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Zimbabwe women's national cricket team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox cricket team
| name                  = Zimbabwe
| image                 = Zimbabwe Cricket (logo).svg
| image_size            = 220px
| alt                   = Refer to caption
| caption               = 
| nickname              = The Chevrons<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2017/07/07/cricketers-became-chevrons/|title=How our cricketers became Chevrons|work=[[Zimbabwe Independent]]|date=7 July 2017|access-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731004643/https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2017/07/07/cricketers-became-chevrons/ |archive-date=31 July 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.newzimbabwe.com/chevrons-stars-happy-to-be-back-playing-cricket-again/|title=Chevrons stars Happy to be back playing cricket again|work=[[New Zimbabwe]]|date=28 September 2020|access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref>
| association           = [[Zimbabwe Cricket]]
| test_captain          = [[Craig Ervine]]
| od_captain            = Craig Ervine 
| t20i_captain          = [[Sikandar Raza]]
| coach                 = Justin Sammons<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/walter-chawaguta-named-as-zimbabwe-mens-interim-coach-for-white-ball-tour-of-sri-lanka-1503252154.html|title=Walter Chawaguta named as Zimbabwe men's interim coach for white-ball tour of Sri Lanka|work=The Statesman|date=22 December 2023|access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref>
| test_status_year      = 1992

| icc_status            = Associate Member
| icc_member_year       = 1981
| icc_status2           = Full Member
| icc_member_year2      = 1992
| icc_region            = [[African Cricket Association|ACA]] (Africa)

| test_rank             = 11th
| odi_rank              = 11th
| t20i_rank             = 11th
| test_rank_best        = 7th <!-- Date when team reached its all time best ranking for the first time -->
| odi_rank_best         = 7th <!-- Date when team reached its all time best ranking for the first time -->
| t20i_rank_best        = 9th <!-- Date when team reached its all time best ranking for the first time -->

| first_test            = v. {{cr|IND}} at [[Harare Sports Club]], [[Harare]]; 18–22 October 1992
| most_recent_test      = v. {{cr|AFG}} at [[Harare Sports Club]], [[Harare]]; 20–22 October 2025
| num_tests             = 129
| num_tests_this_year   = 10
| test_record           = 15/84<br />(30 draws)
| test_record_this_year = 2/8 (0 draws)

| first_odi             = v. {{cr|AUS}} at [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]]; 9 June 1983
| most_recent_odi       = v. {{cr|SL}} at [[Harare Sports Club]], [[Harare]]; 31 August 2025
| num_odis              = 583
| num_odis_this_year    = 5
| odi_record            = 154/405<br />(8 ties, 16 no results)
| odi_record_this_year  = 2/3<br />(0 ties, 0 no results)

| wc_apps               = 9
| wc_first              = [[1983 Cricket World Cup|1983]]
| wc_best               = Super Sixes ([[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999]], [[2003 Cricket World Cup|2003]])
| wcq_apps              = 5
| wcq_first             = [[1982 ICC Trophy|1982]]
| wcq_best              = Champions (1982, [[1986 ICC Trophy|1986]], [[1990 ICC Trophy|1990]])

| first_t20i            = v. {{cr|BAN}} at [[Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium]], [[Khulna]]; 28 November 2006
| most_recent_t20i      = v. {{cr|Sri Lanka}} at [[Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium]], [[Rawalpindi]]; 20 November 2025
| num_t20is             = 184
| num_t20is_this_year   = 23
| t20i_record           = 64/114<br />(2 ties, 3 no results)
| t20i_record_this_year = 9/11<br />(0 ties, 2 no results)

| wt20_apps             = 6
| wt20_first            = [[2007 ICC World Twenty20|2007]]
| wt20_best             = Super 12 ([[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup|2022]])

| wt20q_apps            = 3{{efn|T20 World Cup Qualifier refers to the Regional Final of the ICC Africa region from the 2023 edition.}}
| wt20q_first           = [[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier B|2022]]
| wt20q_best            = '''Champions''' ([[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier B|2022]], [[2025 Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final|2025]])

| h_pattern_la          = 
| h_pattern_b           = _collar
| h_pattern_ra          = 
| h_pattern_pants       = 
| h_leftarm             = FFFFF6
| h_body                = FFFFF6
| h_rightarm            = FFFFF6
| h_pants               = FFFFF6
| a_pattern_la          = _yellowborder
| a_pattern_b           = _zim_odi23
| a_pattern_ra          = _yellowborder
| a_pattern_pants       = 
| a_leftarm             = FF0000
| a_body                = FF0000
| a_rightarm            = FF0000
| a_pants               = FF0000
| t_pattern_la          = _redborder
| t_pattern_b           = _zim_t20i22
| t_pattern_ra          = _redborder
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| t_leftarm             = FFFF00
| t_body                = FFFF00
| t_rightarm            = FFFF00
| t_pants               = FF0000

| asofdate              = 18 November 2025
}}

The '''Zimbabwe men's national cricket team''', also known as the '''Chevrons''', represents [[Zimbabwe]] in men's international [[cricket]] and is overseen by [[Zimbabwe Cricket]]. Zimbabwe has been a [[List of International Cricket Council members|full member]] of the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC) since 1992. As of October 2025, Zimbabwe was ranked 11th in [[Test cricket|Tests]], 11th in [[One Day International]]s (ODIs) and 11th in [[Twenty20 international]]s (T20Is) by the ICC.<ref name="ICC Rankings"/>

==History==

===Before Test status===
{{Main|History of cricket in Rhodesia and Zimbabwe to 1992}}

{{Main|Rhodesia cricket team}}

Zimbabwe – known as [[Rhodesia]] until 1980 – had a national cricket team before it achieved Test status.

A summary of key moments:

* Rhodesia was represented in the South African domestic cricket tournament, the [[Sunfoil Series|Currie Cup]], sporadically from 1904 to 1932, and then regularly from 1946 until independence.
* Following independence, the country began to play more international cricket.
* On 21 July 1981, Zimbabwe became an associate member of the ICC.
* Zimbabwe participated in the [[1983 Cricket World Cup]], as well as the [[1987 Cricket World Cup|1987]] and [[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992]] events.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/story/259980.html A brief history of Zimbabwe cricket] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219044744/http://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/story/259980.html |date=19 February 2013 }} [[Cricinfo]]. Retrieved 4 November 2011</ref>

Zimbabwe's first World Cup campaign in 1983 ended at the group stage, as they lost five of their six matches. However, they threw a surprise against Australia. Batting first, Zimbabwe reached a total of 239 for 6 in the allotted 60 overs, with skipper [[Duncan Fletcher]] top-scoring with 69 not out. Fletcher then produced career-best bowling figures of 4 for 42 to restrict Australia to 226 for 7, thereby recording a [https://cricblog.net/top-10-upsets-in-odi-cricket-history/ stunning upset] in cricket history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/505154.html |title=I Was There: Zimbabwe's win over Australia in the 1983 World Cup |date=13 March 2011 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104041224/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/505154.html |archive-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 1987 World Cup, Zimbabwe lost all six of their group-stage matches, though they came very close to winning against New Zealand. Chasing 243 to win from 50 overs, [[Wicket-keeper|wicketkeeper]]-batsman [[David Houghton (cricketer)|David Houghton]] scored 142, but Zimbabwe were all out for 239 in the final over, with two balls still remaining, thus losing by three runs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65094.html |title=4th Match: New Zealand v Zimbabwe at Hyderabad (Deccan), Oct 10, 1987 |work=Cricinfo |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004132043/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65094.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 1992 tournament, Zimbabwe failed to progress beyond the round-robin stage, losing seven of their eight matches, though there were two notable achievements. Against Sri Lanka in their first match, Zimbabwe posted their then-highest total of 312 for 4, with wicketkeeper-batsman [[Andy Flower]] top-scoring with 115 not out. However, the Sri Lankans chased this total down with four balls to spare, winning by three wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65120.html |title=3rd Match: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe at New Plymouth, Feb 23, 1992 |work=Cricinfo |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505162034/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65120.html |archive-date=5 May 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In their final match, Zimbabwe faced England in an inconsequential encounter, England having already made the semi-finals. Batting first, Zimbabwe were all out for 134. [[Eddo Brandes]] then produced a stunning spell of 4 for 21, including dismissing [[Graham Gooch]] the first ball, to help restrict England to 125 all out and thus give Zimbabwe a shock nine-run victory.

These twenty World Cup matches were Zimbabwe's only international games during this period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/team/match_results_year.html?class=2;id=9;type=team |title=Zimbabwe / Records / One-Day Internationals / List of match results (by year) |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=1 September 2014}}</ref>

===1992–1996: early years of Test status===
Zimbabwe was granted Test status by the ICC in July 1992 and played its first Test match in October that year, against [[India national cricket team|India]] at [[Harare Sports Club]]. They became the ninth Test nation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63583.html |title=Only Test: Zimbabwe v India at Harare, Oct 18–22, 1992 |work=Cricinfo |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=5 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023202744/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63583.html |archive-date=23 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Zimbabwe's early Test performances were consistently weak, leading to suggestions that they had been granted Test status prematurely. Of their first 30 Test matches, they won just one, at home against [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] in early 1995.

In the one-day arena, however, the team soon became competitive, if not particularly strong. In particular, world respect was gained for their [[fielding (cricket)|fielding]] ability.

===1997–2002: the golden era===
[[File:Zimbabwe Cricket Cap Insignia.svg|right|thumb|230px|Old logo of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union]]

Despite his team's difficulties, wicket-keeper/batsman [[Andy Flower]] was at one point rated the best batsman in world cricket. During this era, Zimbabwe also produced such cricketers as Flower's brother [[Grant Flower|Grant]], and allrounders [[Andy Blignaut]] and [[Heath Streak]] (who was later appointed national captain). [[Murray Goodwin]] was also a world-class batsman; following his retirement from international cricket, he has scored heavily for [[Sussex County Cricket Club|Sussex]]. Another world-class batsman was [[David Houghton (cricketer)|David Houghton]], who holds the record for the highest individual Test score for Zimbabwe of 266 against Sri Lanka in 1994/95. Sometime captain and middle-order batsman [[Alistair Campbell (cricketer)|Alistair Campbell]], leg-spinning all-rounder [[Paul Strang]], [[Eddo Brandes]], and pace bowler/opener [[Neil Johnson (cricketer)|Neil Johnson]] were other important contributors for Zimbabwe on the world stage at this time.

With the appearance of these quality players, a breakthrough was achieved in levels of performance in the late 1990s where the Zimbabwean team began winning Tests against other nations, which included a series win against Pakistan. Unfortunately, the political situation in Zimbabwe declined at around the same time, which had a detrimental effect on the national team's performances.

Zimbabwe performed well at the [[1999 Cricket World Cup]], coming in fifth place in the Super Sixes and only missing out on a semi-final place due to having an inferior net run-rate than [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]].

In the group stage, Zimbabwe beat India by three runs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/65200.html |title=8th Match: India v Zimbabwe at Leicester, May 19, 1999 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117163404/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/65200.html |archive-date=17 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> before facing their neighbours South Africa, then the best team in the world. Batting first, Zimbabwe made 233 for 6, with a well-fought 76 by opening batsman [[Neil Johnson (cricketer)|Neil Johnson]]. In reply, South Africa collapsed to 40 for 6, before [[Lance Klusener]] and [[Shaun Pollock]] scored half-centuries to reduce the margin of defeat to 48 runs. This was South Africa's first defeat against Zimbabwe and one of Zimbabwe's most famous wins. Neil Johnson also excelled with the ball, taking three wickets and claiming the Man of the Match award. Johnson quit playing for Zimbabwe after this tournament.

During this period, Zimbabwe beat all Test-playing nations (except Australia, India) regularly in ODI series. Zimbabwe beat New Zealand both home and away in 2000–2001. The team also reached the finals of many multi-national one-day tournaments.

===2003–2004: signs of decline===

The increasing politicization of cricket, including selectorial policy, along with the declining situation in Zimbabwe disrupted the [[2003 Cricket World Cup]], which was jointly hosted by Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa. [[England cricket team|England]] forfeited a match scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe, risking their own progress through the competition, citing "security concerns" as their reason. Zimbabwean players [[Andy Flower]] and fast bowler [[Henry Olonga]] wore [[Black armband protest|black armbands]], for "mourning the death of democracy" in Zimbabwe. Both were immediately dismissed from the team and applied for political asylum overseas. This public political protest caused considerable embarrassment to the co-hosts and disrupted team harmony.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/wctimeline/content/story/281633.html Great World Cup Moments:Henry Olonga and Andy Flower 'mourn the death of democracy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301195404/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wctimeline/content/story/281633.html |date=1 March 2011 }} [[Cricinfo]]. Retrieved 7 November 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/126517.html Statement of Andrew Flower and Henry Olonga] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123022525/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/126517.html |date=23 November 2011 }} [[Cricinfo]]. Retrieved 23 November 2011</ref> Since the 2003 World Cup, with a succession of Zimbabwe's best players ending their international careers early, a new side began to develop, featuring the likes of [[Travis Friend]], [[Andy Blignaut]], [[Hamilton Masakadza]], [[Douglas Hondo]], [[Craig Wishart]], [[Ray Price (cricketer)|Ray Price]], [[Sean Ervine]], [[Mark Vermeulen]], [[Tatenda Taibu]], [[Elton Chigumbura]], [[Prosper Utseya]], [[Dougie Marillier]], and [[Barney Rogers]]. Whilst not of the same caliber of Streak, Goodwin, and the Flower brothers, this new breed of predominantly multi-disciplined players formed a solid backbone to a competitive, if usually unsuccessful, side.

In late 2003, Zimbabwe toured Australia in a two-match series. The series was more memorable for Australian opener [[Matthew Hayden]]'s innings in the first Test&nbsp;– in which he overcame a back strain to score a then [[World Record|record]] 380 runs&nbsp;– than for the Zimbabwean performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/3179152.stm |title=Hayden smashes Test record |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=10 October 2003 |access-date=19 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120140029/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/3179152.stm |archive-date=20 January 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Zimbabwe lost its first match against Bangladesh in 2004. In 2004, captain [[Heath Streak]] was sacked by the ZCU (now Zimbabwe Cricket), prompting a walkout by 14 other players in protest against political influence in the team's management and selection policies. A scheduled tour by Sri Lanka went ahead, but this was a lopsided affair, with Zimbabwe represented by fringe players who were not of international standard.<ref>[http://www.sify.com/sports/key-moments-in-zimbabwe-s-cricket-crisis-news-cricket-jegrPSbifeh.html Key moments in Zimbabwe's cricket crisis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619230449/http://www.sify.com/sports/key-moments-in-zimbabwe-s-cricket-crisis-news-cricket-jegrPSbifeh.html|date=19 June 2013}} [[Sify Sports]]. Retrieved 27 November 2011</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130122150750/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=59254 ICC still not prepared to intervene in Zimbabwe] [[Express India]]. Retrieved 2 December 2011</ref> Because of this, the ZCU accepted that Zimbabwe was to play no further Test cricket in 2004, though its status as a Test nation remained unaffected.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/50163/ Zimbabwe not to play Test cricket in 2004, says ICC] Indian Express. Retrieved 30 November 2011</ref>

===2005–2009: worsening political situation, steep decline and the exodus of players===

After a series of poor Test performances following the resignation of several senior players, the Zimbabwean team was voluntarily suspended from Test cricket in late 2005 by its cricket board, with ICC encouragement.<ref>[http://www.supersport.com/cricket/international/zimbabwe-cricket-team-info Zimbabwe Cricket Team SuperSport Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019094322/http://www.supersport.com/cricket/international/zimbabwe-cricket-team-info |date=19 October 2012 }} [[SuperSport (South African TV channel)|SuperSport]]. Retrieved 6 November 2011</ref>

In early 2005, Heath Streak was reinstated into the national side, but the political situation in Zimbabwe involving [[Operation Murambatsvina]] disrupted the Zimbabwean team. During overseas tours, the players were often said to be buying necessities that were unavailable&nbsp;– or prohibitively expensive&nbsp;– at home, as opposed to the souvenirs which other touring teams would purchase.

In 2005 an agreement was signed which led to the return of many of the rebels to the Zimbabwe side.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120426011143/http://www.aussiecricket.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=396&start=0&sid=5dc6c14591d20b5bc21e147f5ea2a84e&view=print Rebels consider peace plan]}} AussieCricket.net. Retrieved 1 December 2011</ref> However, results failed to improve as in March Zimbabwe lost both their Tests on tour against [[South African cricket team|South Africa]] by an innings. Worse was to follow in August, when they were crushed on home soil by [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]], in a match that was completed in just two days. In the process, Zimbabwe was humiliated; they became only the second side in Test history (after [[Indian cricket team|India]] in 1952) to be bowled out twice in the space of one day. Then they lost both their Tests to India at home later in September. After the series against India, Streak announced his retirement from international cricket, dealing yet another blow to the beleaguered team.

By November 2005, the players were once again in dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket over political interference in the management of the game, as well as contract negotiations, and the new captain, [[Tatenda Taibu]], resigned from international cricket. By then the team had been further weakened by the departure of the likes of [[Dougie Marillier]], [[Craig Wishart]] and [[Sean Ervine]], all of whom retired in protest and expressed disillusionment in the local cricket hierarchy.

By January 2006, 37 Zimbabwean cricketers had failed to receive any offer of renegotiation talks from Zimbabwe Cricket after their contracts with the board had expired. This body of players demanded that the chairman and managing director of Zimbabwe Cricket, [[Peter Chingoka]] and [[Ozias Bvute]], be removed from office for there to be any hope for the players to return to the international stage.

On 6 January 2006, the Sports and Recreation Commission, a division of the Zimbabwean government, took over the offices of Zimbabwe Cricket. The apparent takeover has resulted in the firing of all whites and Asians among the board directors, because of "their racial connotations and saving their own agendas and not government policy" according to [[Gibson Mashingaidze]], an army brigadier and chairman of the government's Sports and Recreation Commission.

An interim board was appointed as the new leading party of cricket in Zimbabwe, with Peter Chingoka appointed as the committee's head. Given Chingoka's close ties to Bvute, it was likely that the latter would continue in his post as well.

On 18 January 2006, Zimbabwe Cricket announced that they were suspending the playing of [[Test cricket]] for the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/other_international/zimbabwe/4625900.stm |title=Zimbabwe revokes 2006 Test status |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=18 January 2006 |access-date=25 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916134809/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/zimbabwe/4625900.stm |archive-date=16 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Zimbabwe's coach [[Kevin Curran (cricketer)|Kevin Curran]] said that Zimbabwe were aiming to play their next Test against the [[West Indian cricket team|West Indies]] in November 2007.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 September 2006 |title=Zimbabwe target 2007 Test return |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-target-2007-test-return-259228 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403155433/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/259228.html?CMP=OTC-RSS |archive-date=3 April 2015 |access-date=11 September 2006 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> It was felt by observers that the Zimbabwean national team was not of sufficient Test standard, and that competing against Full Member sides would do little to improve standards, given the likely one-sided nature of the games. [[Bangladesh cricket team|Bangladesh]], for a long time seen as the 'whipping boys' of Test cricket, recorded their first win against Zimbabwe, and were thereafter regarded as being of a superior standard. On 8 August 2011, Zimbabwe recorded a resounding victory in the one Test match series over Bangladesh, played in Harare.

Domestically, the Logan Cup&nbsp;– Zimbabwe's first-class competition played amongst the provinces&nbsp;– was canceled in 2006 for the first time since its inception over a century ago (though the Cup was not played during some of the years of the World Wars). This was widely seen due to concern by ZC that the standard of play would be so poor as to be both not worthwhile and potentially harmful to the external image of cricket in Zimbabwe. The one-day trophy, the Faithwear Cup, was contested and drew complaints from observers that the quality was less than club level. As well as player exodus, the main reason for this catastrophic fall in standards was put down to wrangling within Zimbabwe Cricket, where internal politics motivated the removal of the historic provinces and their replacement with revamped, newly designated provincial teams. Zimbabwe's economic collapse led to scanty attendance at games and players not receiving their salaries for long periods of time.

In a further harmful incident, ex-player [[Mark Vermeulen]] was arrested after attempting to burn down ZC's offices, and successfully destroying the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy's premises. In a nation in increasing social and economic turmoil, such facilities are hard to replace, and their loss has proven difficult to manage for a cricket administration already short of top-quality facilities.

In the period leading up to the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]] in the West Indies, and to stop a similar exodus of players as after the 2003 World Cup, the selected players were asked to sign a new contract. The players were summoned to meet Ozias Bvute, Zimbabwe Cricket's managing director, a week or so before they were due to set off and given an ultimatum&nbsp;– sign the contract on offer or be removed from the squad. It is understood that they were not allowed to take advice, and were told they had to make the decision then and there.

One player told his teammates that there were certain things contained in the contracts that needed clarification. He was summoned back into Bvute's office and warned that it was a take-it-or-leave-it offer: this player was later revealed to be [[Anthony Ireland (cricketer)|Anthony Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/289192.html |title=Cricinfo – Ireland: 'I cannot work with such people'<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=9 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516085002/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/289192.html |archive-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another said that when he told Bvute he wanted to consult with friends, Bvute picked up the phone and called Kenyon Ziehl, the head of selection, and told him he wanted the player replaced in the squad. Unsurprisingly, the player backed down and signed.

In light of the poor state of Zimbabwe's finances, and that Zimbabwe Cricket had to borrow around US$1&nbsp; million in early 2007 pending receipt of monies from the World Cup to help them over an ongoing cash crisis, the board agreed to pay match fees in US dollars. The players were to be paid US$2000 per appearance and a series of US$500 bonuses based on wickets taken and fifties scored. The maximum payment was believed to be capped at around US$8000. However, fees were not paid until June 2007 to stop the exodus and help cash flow.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/289178.html |title=Cricinfo – Alarmed Zimbabwe look to prevent player exodus<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=9 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516082649/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/289178.html |archive-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The specter of continued problems with the ZC board influenced some players to cut their losses and seek to finish their careers abroad: Anthony Ireland accepted a contract to play for Gloucestershire during 2007, while opener [[Vusi Sibanda]] also left. More are thought to be considering following suit.

Zimbabwe fared poorly in the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]], even failing to beat non-Test playing [[Ireland Cricket team|Ireland]].

Zimbabwe upset Australia in its opening match of the Twenty20 World Championship in [[Cape Town]], defeating them by 5 wickets. [[Brendan Taylor]] led the way for Zimbabwe, with first-class wicket keeping (a catch, stumping, and run out) and a crucial unbeaten 60 from 45 deliveries. He was announced as Man of the Match. They then lost to England by 50 runs, meaning they exited the tournament at the first stage due to their net run rate being inferior to both Australia and England after Australia had beaten England in the other group match.

There was more encouraging news in October 2007, when it was announced that Zimbabwe would compete in all three domestic competitions in South Africa as part of Cricket South Africa's attempts to improve the standard of cricket in Zimbabwe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.supersport.co.za/cricket/article.aspx?id=233227&headline=Zim%20to%20compete%20in%20all%20SA%60s%20domestic%20competitions|title=Zim to compete in all SA's local competitions|publisher=SuperSport|date=22 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514033825/http://www.supersport.co.za/cricket/article.aspx?id=233227&headline=Zim%20to%20compete%20in%20all%20SA%60s%20domestic%20competitions|archive-date=14 May 2008|url-status=unfit}}</ref>

However, their participation in the above competitions was thrown into doubt when the plans were postponed pending a [[Cricket South Africa]] board meeting.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cricketworld.com/zimbabwe/article/?aid=13686 |title=Zimbabwe's Place In South African Cricket Delayed|access-date=24 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026152947/http://www.cricketworld.com/zimbabwe/article/?aid=13686 |archive-date=26 October 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> A compromise was reached late in November 2007, meaning Zimbabwe would have taken part in the [[MTN Domestic Championship]] and the [[Standard Bank Pro 20 Series]], but not the [[SuperSport Series]] as originally planned.<ref>[http://www.cricketworld.com/zimbabwe/article/?aid=13920 Zimbabwe's Place In SA Franchise Cricket Confirmed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201015055/http://www.cricketworld.com/zimbabwe/article/?aid=13920 |date=1 December 2007 }}, Cricket World, Retrieved on 21 November 2007</ref> Instead, they played three first-class four-day games against a South African Composite XI made up of franchise and provincial players. The three games, in [[Paarl]], [[Potchefstroom]], and [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]] were all won by Zimbabwe.<ref>{{cite news|author=Cricket World |url=http://www.cricketworld.com/zimbabwe/article/?aid=14317 |title=Utseya Leads Zimbabwe To Challenge Clean Sweep |publisher=Cricket World |date=6 January 2008 |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107140510/http://www.cricketworld.com/zimbabwe/article/?aid=14317 |archive-date=7 January 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

In between those games, they played a five match [[West Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2007-08|One Day International series against the West Indies]], scoring an upset win in the opening match<ref>{{cite news |author = Cricket World|url = http://www.cricketworld.com/cricket_archive/west_indies_in_zimbabwe/article/?aid=13995|archive-url = https://archive.today/20110525230956/http://www.cricketworld.com/cricket_archive/west_indies_in_zimbabwe/article/?aid=13995|url-status = dead|archive-date = 25 May 2011|title = Chanderpaul Ton in Vain As Zimbabwe Open With Win|publisher = Cricket World|date = 30 November 2007|access-date = 6 January 2008}}</ref> before losing the series 3–1. The final match was abandoned due to rain.<ref>{{cite news|author=Cricket World |url=http://www.cricketworld.com/cricket_archive/west_indies_in_zimbabwe/article/?aid=14095 |title=Last Zimbabwe-West Indies One-Dayer Abandoned |publisher=Cricket World |date=9 December 2007 |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213122915/http://www.cricketworld.com/cricket_archive/west_indies_in_zimbabwe/article/?aid=14095 |archive-date=13 December 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

Zimbabwe's performance against Bangladesh during this time was extremely poor as they lost every ODI series except one at home, including a 0–5 whitewash in 2006.

Zimbabwe also lost against non-Test playing nation Kenya very often. But in 2009, they bounced back beating their African neighbors 9–1 in ten games.

[[File: Zimbabwean Players Take The Drinks Break.jpg|thumb|Zimbabwean players take the drinks break in their [[One Day International|ODI]] match against [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]] at [[Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium|Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium]], [[Dhaka]] on 23 January 2009.]]

===2010–2013: return to Tests and continued financial problems===
Zimbabwe won an ODI and a T20I during their tour of the [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]]. Zimbabwe reached the finals of a triangular tournament that included India and Sri Lanka. They lost their remaining matches in the year except against Ireland whom they beat 2–1 at home.

Zimbabwe started their World Cup 2011 campaign with a 91-run defeat by Australia at Ahmadabad on 21 February 2011. They then recorded a comfortable victory over Canada, before losing by 10 wickets to [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] on 4 March 2011. Further heavy defeats by Sri Lanka and Pakistan followed, before a consolation victory over Kenya was achieved in Zimbabwe's final game of the tournament. After these defeats, opening batsman [[Brendan Taylor]] was announced as captain of all formats on 24 June 2011, replacing Elton Chigumbura.

Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket on 4 August 2011 after a six-year exile, hosting [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]] in a one-off Test match at [[Harare]]. The national team's re-introduction to Test cricket was successful, as they won by 130 runs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moonda |first=Firdose |date=8 August 2011 |title=Zimbabwe triumphant on Test return |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-tour-of-zimbabwe-2011-504002/zimbabwe-vs-bangladesh-only-test-522245/match-report-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222150123/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-bangladesh-2011/content/story/526504.html |archive-date=22 December 2011 |access-date=15 August 2011 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>

As part of the lead-up to their Test return, Zimbabwe Cricket announced major upgrades to the Harare Sports Club and Mutare Sports Club grounds.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 October 2010 |title=Zimbabwe plan ground renovation |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-news-zimbabwe-plan-ground-renovation-at-harare-sports-club-and-mutare-sports-club-481066 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024152627/http://www.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/481066.html |archive-date=24 October 2010 |access-date=8 August 2011 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> Plans for a new Test ground at Victoria Falls were also revealed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Williamson |first=Martin |date=1 July 2010 |title=Zimbabwe to build Test ground at Victoria Falls |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-news-zimbabwe-to-build-test-ground-at-victoria-falls-465632 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704050745/http://www.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/465632.html |archive-date=4 July 2010 |access-date=8 August 2011 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> ZC also signed a [[United States dollar|US$]]1 million deal with [[Reebok]] to sponsor the domestic competitions and manufacture the kits of the national team for three years.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 October 2010 |title=Zimbabwe sign $1 million sponsor deal |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-news-zimbabwe-sign-1-million-sponsor-deal-484154 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101054026/http://www.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/484154.html |archive-date=1 November 2010 |access-date=8 August 2011 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>

Following the Test, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh contested a five-match ODI series. Zimbabwe won 3–2, thus recording their first ODI series win against a Test-playing nation since 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/504004.html |title=Bangladesh in Zimbabwe ODI series, 2011 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105041914/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/504004.html |archive-date=5 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Moonda |first=Firdose |date=16 August 2011 |title=Zimbabwe overcome Mushfiqur to take series |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-tour-of-zimbabwe-2011-504002/zimbabwe-vs-bangladesh-3rd-odi-522248/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127234744/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-bangladesh-2011/content/story/527667.html |archive-date=27 November 2015 |access-date=21 January 2016 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>

Zimbabwe was beaten in all the formats by [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]]. After this they played a home series with [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]]. They were defeated 2–0 in the T20I series, and New Zealand was 2–0 up in the ODI series. The final ODI was being played at the [[Queen's Sports Club]], [[Bulawayo]]. They were on a 12-match losing streak at that time.

Furthermore, when batting first, New Zealand scored 328 in 50 overs, nobody gave Zimbabwe a chance of winning. The Zimbabweans have never chased an ODI total over 300 before. However, they did it successfully for the first time in their history.

Zimbabwe's main aim in the innings break was to lose with dignity. When opener [[Vusi Sibanda]] was out for a duck, even that seemed to be a tall order, but skipper [[Brendan Taylor]] changed the entire complexion of the match. Taylor scored a brilliant 75 before he was dismissed fresh from the centuries he scored from the last games.

After Taylor's dismissal, [[Tatenda Taibu]]'s speedy fifty kept Zimbabwe in the hunt. However, the match-changing partnership was between the two all-rounders [[Malcolm Waller]] and [[Elton Chigumbura]]. Waller played one of the greatest innings in ODI history as he scored 99[[not out|*]]. In the end, he even did not think of his century, but to just take his team over the line. His unselfishness brought about for Zimbabwe a much-needed victory. His partner Chigumbura scored a brisk 47 and was quite unlucky to miss out on his half-century, bowled by [[Jacob Oram]] after he along with Waller had taken the equation below a run a ball. When [[Keegan Meth]] was bowled two balls later for a duck, Waller kept his cool as he marshaled the middle order efficiently, assisted by a six by debutant [[Natsai Mushangwe]], and then enough support by [[Ray Price (cricketer)|Ray Price]] brought the scores level. After Price was dismissed (caught), it was the last wicket Zimbabwe had and the new man in was another debutant [[Njabulo Ncube]]. Waller is said to have advised him, "'No matter what happens if I get bat on the ball, let's take the run.' And the run they did take, thereby recording a legendary victory for Zimbabwe. According to an interview later, Waller said that he was thinking of a swing and get the ball over the ground so that both his team could win and he could get a century, but later he thought that he would rather take the team home rather than get 100,". Waller was the Man of the Match for his spectacular performance, while Brendan Taylor was Man of the Series.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2011/content/story/537845.html Malcolm Waller takes Zimbabwe to record win] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028120833/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2011/content/story/537845.html |date=28 October 2011 }} Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 October 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2011/content/story/537958.html Stats-Unprecendeted High for Zimbabwe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028120701/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2011/content/story/537958.html |date=28 October 2011 }} Cricinfo Statistics. Retrieved 25 October 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-zimbabwe-2012/content/story/538095.html 'I thought of having a swing'-Malcolm Waller] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027230906/http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-zimbabwe-2012/content/story/538095.html |date=27 October 2011 }} Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2011</ref>

Zimbabwe came close to winning the solitary Test between the teams. Chasing 366 to win in their second innings, Zimbabwe were well placed at 265 for 3, with Taylor making 117, before a collapse handed New Zealand a 34-run victory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sundar |first=Nitin |date=5 November 2011 |title=New Zealand outlast Brendan Taylor to win thriller |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-zimbabwe-2011-12-527008/zimbabwe-vs-new-zealand-only-test-527017/match-report-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023000055/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2011/content/story/539332.html |archive-date=23 October 2015 |access-date=11 October 2015 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>

Zimbabwe then toured New Zealand in January and February 2012 for a single-Test, three-ODI and two-T20I series, but lost all six matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-zimbabwe-2012/engine/series/520581.html |title=Zimbabwe tour of New Zealand, 2011/12 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213234541/http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-zimbabwe-2012/engine/series/520581.html |archive-date=13 December 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the Test, they were bowled out twice on the third day – for 51 (their lowest Test score) and 143 – to lose by an innings and 301 runs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fernando |first=Andrew |date=28 January 2012 |title=New Zealand bowl out Zimbabwe twice in a day |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-tour-of-new-zealand-2011-12-520581/new-zealand-vs-zimbabwe-only-test-520591/match-report-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428224719/http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-zimbabwe-2012/content/story/551285.html |archive-date=28 April 2012 |access-date=11 October 2015 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>

In June 2012, Zimbabwe beat South Africa in a t20 match of an unofficial triangular T20 tournament where [[Bangladesh national cricket team]] also featured. This was the 3rd match of the tournament. They beat South Africa by 29 runs. They also had beaten Bangladesh in the first match of that tournament by 10 runs. In the 3rd match against South Africa, although there were no [[AB de Villiers]] and [[Jacques Kallis]], the South Africa team was very much strong. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, [[Vusi Sibanda]] and [[Hamilton Masakadza]] opened the innings and scored 58 and 55 respectively. The wicket-keeper captain [[Brendan Taylor]] scored a quickfire 38 from 21 balls in the end. They scored 176/4 in 20 overs. Coming to chase, South African batsmen [[Richard Levi]] and [[Colin Ingram]] scored 40 and 48 respectively. But the other batsmen struggle to make it and went all out on 147 within 19.2 overs. [[Christopher Mpofu]] took 3 for 20. In the next meetings with South Africa and Bangladesh, Zimbabwe lost both of the matches and ended in the same points as those of South Africa and Bangladesh. Due to better net run rates, Zimbabwe and South Africa progressed to the final. On 24 June 2012, in the final match, South Africa batted first and scored 146 runs with the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. While an early collapse occurred in their innings, South Africa managed to get back with a fair score as [[Faf du Plessis]] scored 66 off 57 balls and [[Albie Morkel]] scored a quickfire 34 not out off 23 balls. [[Kyle Jarvis]] of Zimbabwe took 2 wickets for 22 runs. coming out to chase, Zimbabwe started well but [[Vusi Sibanda]] went out on 24 off 16. But then the captain [[Brendan Taylor]] and [[Hamilton Masakadza]] well built the innings scoring 59 not out and 58 not out respectively. They took Zimbabwe to victory as they scored 150 for the loss of 1 wicket in 17.1 overs. Zimbabwe won by 9 wickets and clinched the T20 series in front of a full house packed with native Zimbabwean crowd at the [[Harare Sports Club]] ground. Brendan Taylor was the man of the match and Hamilton Masakadza got the man of the series award.

Zimbabwe lost all their matches in 2010 and 2012 World t20s in the opening stage.

Zimbabwe toured West Indies again in 2013. This time they were less successful and lost all matches.

Zimbabwe then hosted Bangladesh in June. They won the One Day International series 2–1 while the Test and T20I series were tied 1–1. They then lost an ODI series 0–5 at home to world champions India.

During August and September 2013, Zimbabwe hosted Pakistan in a two-Test, three-ODI and two-T20I series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-pakistan-2013/engine/series/659535.html |title=Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe, 2013 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108015848/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-pakistan-2013/engine/series/659535.html |archive-date=8 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Pakistan won both T20Is, before coming from behind to win the ODI series 2–1. They then won the first Test following a double-century by [[Younis Khan]] in the second innings. However, Zimbabwe won the second Test by 24 runs – their first Test victory against a team other than Bangladesh since 2001 – to draw the series 1–1.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fuloria |first=Devashish |date=14 September 2013 |title=Zimbabwe square series with historic win |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-zimbabwe-2013-659535/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-659557/match-report-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022043708/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-pakistan-2013/content/story/671499.html |archive-date=22 October 2014 |access-date=11 August 2014 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>

Throughout the period, Zimbabwe's financial condition deeply worsened. The ICC had to step in and provide financial assistance but the usage of monetary benefits has been a question of debate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/724593.html |title=Zimbabwe Cricket mismanaged $6m ICC loan |access-date=11 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726125056/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/724593.html |archive-date=26 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/738959.html|title = ZC turns down proposed ICC bail-out}}</ref> Zimbabwe players have threatened boycott many times of late and have formed a players' Union.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/video_audio/662933.html |title=A Zimbabwe players union, at long last |date=16 August 2013 |access-date=11 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814213819/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/video_audio/662933.html |archive-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/717839.html |title=Zimbabwe players extend boycott |access-date=11 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814213828/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/717839.html |archive-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Zimbabwe team has struggled to attract sponsors and this has affected its domestic structure leading to cancellation of many tournaments such as ''Pro40''. A number of franchises also have been cancelled. Multiple tours have been postponed, cancelled or have gone un-televised.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/753249.html|title = Zimbabwe a tour of Bangladesh put on hold| work=Cricinfo }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/708291.html |title=Afghanistan's Zimbabwe tour cancelled |access-date=11 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150150/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/708291.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2014–2021: fall in rankings, loss to associates, and failure to reach 2019 World Cup===

At the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014 World Twenty20]] in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe was eliminated in the group stage. A last-ball defeat against Ireland was followed by victories over the Netherlands (also off the last ball) and the United Arab Emirates, but a resounding win for the Netherlands over Ireland meant that the Dutch progressed to the Super 10 stage on net run-rate.

In July 2014, Zimbabwe hosted Afghanistan in a four-ODI series. They won the first two matches, before the Afghans won the last two to draw the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/756017.html |title=Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe, 2014 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408031112/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/756017.html |archive-date=8 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following month, Zimbabwe hosted South Africa in a single-Test and three-ODI series, losing all four matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/736425.html |title=South Africa tour of Zimbabwe, 2014 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814001555/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/736425.html |archive-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the South African tour, Australia arrived in Zimbabwe for a triangular ODI series with the hosts and South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|last1=ESPNCricinfo|title=Zimbabwe Triangular Series|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-triangular-series-2014/content/series/736429.html|access-date=1 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901132015/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-triangular-series-2014/content/series/736429.html|archive-date=1 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> While Zimbabwe lost their first two matches, to Australia and South Africa respectively, they pulled off a significant upset by beating Australia in the 4th match of the series.<ref>{{cite web|last1=ESPNCricinfo|title=Zimbabwe Triangular Series – 4th match, Scorecard|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-triangular-series-2014/engine/match/736449.html|website=espncricinfo.com|access-date=1 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901083450/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-triangular-series-2014/engine/match/736449.html|archive-date=1 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> This was the first time Zimbabwe had beaten Australia in 31 years, with their last win coming in the 1983 world cup in England.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moonda |first1=Firdose |date=31 August 2014 |title=Zimbabwe beat Australia after 31 years |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-triangular-series-2014-736429/zimbabwe-vs-australia-4th-match-736449/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901083446/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-triangular-series-2014/content/story/776347.html |archive-date=1 September 2014 |access-date=1 September 2014 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> Despite this win, Zimbabwe lost their final match and were knocked out of the tournament.

In late 2014, Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh for a three-Test and five-ODI series. They lost all eight matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-zimbabwe-2014-15/engine/series/760771.html |title=Zimbabwe tour of Bangladesh, 2014/15 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323200804/http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-zimbabwe-2014-15/engine/series/760771.html |archive-date=23 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following this, Stephen Mangongo was sacked as coach.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moonda |first1=Firdose |last2=Brickhill |first2=Liam |date=18 December 2014 |title=Mangongo sacked as Zimbabwe coach |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/mangongo-sacked-as-zimbabwe-coach-811617 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219150757/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/811617.html |archive-date=19 February 2015 |access-date=15 March 2015 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> In late December 2014, Zimbabwe Cricket appointed [[Dav Whatmore]] as coach, replacing Mangongo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/13239/9622435/international-cricket-whatmore-appointed-zimbabwe-coach |title=Dav Whatmore appointed Zimbabwe coach |date=29 December 2014 |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |access-date=13 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213123549/http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/13239/9622435/international-cricket-whatmore-appointed-zimbabwe-coach |archive-date=13 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/coach-dav-whatmore-looks-to-lift-zimbabwe-in-world-cup/526838-78.html |title=Coach Dav Whatmore looks to lift Zimbabwe in World Cup |date=6 February 2015 |publisher=[[CNN-IBN|IBNLive]] |access-date=13 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217130105/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/coach-dav-whatmore-looks-to-lift-zimbabwe-in-world-cup/526838-78.html |archive-date=17 February 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Zimbabwe geared up for the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]] by winning all games against Northern Districts XI<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/series/656515.html |title=ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629120135/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/series/656515.html |archive-date=29 June 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> before facing New Zealand in their first warm-up game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/match/806119.html |title=ICC World Cup Warm-up Matches, New Zealand v Zimbabwe at Lincoln, Feb 9, 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210073115/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/match/806119.html |archive-date=10 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> New Zealand were reduced to 157/7 before rain intervened. In the next game, Zimbabwe upset Sri Lanka by seven wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/match/806131.html |title=ICC World Cup Warm-up Matches, Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe at Lincoln, Feb 11, 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=11 February 2015}}</ref> Zimbabwe lost their opening game to [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]], following which they beat the [[United Arab Emirates national cricket team|United Arab Emirates]] before losing to West Indies. Zimbabwe then went on to lose a close encounter to Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 March 2015 |title=Zimbabwe denied by millimetres |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-denied-by-millimetres-845335 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308105205/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/845335.html |archive-date=8 March 2015 |access-date=8 March 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

During the Pool B match between Ireland and Zimbabwe, Sean Williams was caught by Ireland's John Mooney in a close run chase. Mooney was extremely close to the boundary and eight different television replays were inconclusive as to whether his foot had touched the boundary rope. Meanwhile, Williams had walked and the umpires signaled him out. Zimbabwe went on to lose the game and was knocked out of the tournament as a result.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ireland clinch last-over thriller |date=7 March 2015 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-cricket-world-cup-2014-15-509587/ireland-vs-zimbabwe-30th-match-pool-b-656457/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308213151/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/844573.html |archive-date=8 March 2015 |access-date=8 March 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In their last game, Zimbabwe lost to India. Zimbabwe finished their world cup campaign with just one win over UAE in the first round. Despite this, Zimbabwe turned out to be very competitive and suffered four of the [[List of 2015 Cricket World Cup statistics#smallest winning margin|closest losses]] in the preliminary round of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raina, Dhoni ensure clean slate |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-cricket-world-cup-2014-15-509587/india-vs-zimbabwe-39th-match-pool-b-656475/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315083338/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/849345.html |archive-date=15 March 2015 |access-date=14 March 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

During the tournament, [[Brendan Taylor]] announced his retirement from Zimbabwe cricket<ref>{{cite web |date=13 March 2015 |title=Steadfast Taylor bows to circumstance |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/steadfast-brendan-taylor-bows-to-circumstance-848997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314000051/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/848997.html |archive-date=14 March 2015 |access-date=13 March 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> even as he finished the tournament with 433 runs and two centuries.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 March 2015 |title=A familiar despair marks Taylor's farewell |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-familiar-despair-marks-brendan-taylor-s-farewell-850259 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315143925/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/850259.html |archive-date=15 March 2015 |access-date=14 March 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> At the finish of the tournament, Taylor was among the leading run-getters of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id%3D6537%3Btype%3Dtournament |title=Cricket Records &#124; ICC Cricket World Cup, 2014/15 &#124; Records &#124; Most runs &#124; ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=2015-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823120058/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=6537%3Btype%3Dtournament |archive-date=23 August 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref>

In May 2015, Zimbabwe became the first team in six years to tour Pakistan. Zimbabwe lost the T20I series 0–2 and the ODI series by an identical margin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zimbabwe in Pakistan news column |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricket-news?objectId=868505 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504083115/http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-zimbabwe-2015/content/story/news.html?object=868505 |archive-date=4 May 2015 |access-date=14 March 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In July that year, Zimbabwe [[Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2015|hosted India]] and lost the ODI series 0–3,<ref>{{cite web |title=Jadhav, Pandey set up 3–0 India sweep |date=14 July 2015 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-zimbabwe-2015-885951/zimbabwe-vs-india-3rd-odi-885967/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716161758/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-india-2015/content/story/898435.html |archive-date=16 July 2015 |access-date=14 July 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> while the T20I series was tied 1–1, which included Zimbabwe's first T20I win in Harare.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 July 2015 |title=Zimbabwe's first T20I win in Harare |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-s-first-t20i-win-in-harare-900751 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721202421/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-india-2015/content/story/900751.html |archive-date=21 July 2015 |access-date=19 July 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Zimbabwe then [[New Zealand cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2015|hosted New Zealand]] in August for a three match ODI series and won the first game but went on to lose the series 1–2,<ref>{{cite web |title=Williamson sweeps awards in series win |date=7 August 2015 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-zimbabwe-and-south-africa-2015-848811/zimbabwe-vs-new-zealand-3rd-odi-894291/match-report |access-date=7 August 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> as well as the lone T20I.<ref>{{cite web |title=Worker debut fifty sets up crushing NZ win |date=9 August 2015 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-zimbabwe-and-south-africa-2015-848811/zimbabwe-vs-new-zealand-only-t20i-894293/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811181358/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-south-africa-v-new-zealand-2015/content/story/908053.html |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=9 August 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Pakistan arrived in late September following a decision to postpone their tour. Pakistan won the T20Is 2–0 and the [[Pakistani cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2015–16#ODI series|ODI series]] 2–1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bilal Asif five-for gives Pakistan series |date=5 October 2015 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-zimbabwe-2015-16-904331/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-3rd-odi-919611/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006214636/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-pakistan-2015-16/content/story/926131.html |archive-date=6 October 2015 |access-date=5 October 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Following the series against Pakistan, Zimbabwe simultaneously hosted associates Ireland and Afghanistan in October. Zimbabwe beat Ireland 2–1 in ODIs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-ireland-2015-16/content/series/919599.html |title=Ireland in Zimbabwe, 2015/16 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=5 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610201754/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-ireland-2015-16/content/series/919599.html |archive-date=10 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> But, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe 3–2 to win the ODI series.<ref>{{cite web |title=Afghanistan defend 245 in historic series win |date=24 October 2015 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-tour-of-zimbabwe-2015-16-924621/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-5th-odi-924635/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119140018/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-afghanistan-2015-16/content/story/933139.html |archive-date=19 November 2016 |access-date=24 October 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> This was the first time an associate nation had beaten a full member in a bilateral series.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 October 2015 |title=Afghanistan, the fastest Associate off the blocks |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/afghanistan-the-fastest-associate-off-the-blocks-933113 |access-date=24 October 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Zimbabwe then went on to lose the T20I series 0–2 as well to Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghani, Naib fifties secure landmark series win |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-tour-of-zimbabwe-2015-16-924621/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-2nd-t20i-924639/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315013751/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-afghanistan-2015-16/content/story/934524.html |archive-date=15 March 2017 |access-date=28 October 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> After series of losses within home soil, Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh in November. But, losses continued to attack Zimbabweans, where they lost the ODI series 0–3,<ref>{{cite web |title=Mustafizur five-for seals Bangladesh's 3–0 sweep |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-tour-of-bangladesh-2015-16-931380/bangladesh-vs-zimbabwe-3rd-odi-931394/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112131154/http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-zimbabwe-2015-16/content/story/939535.html |archive-date=12 January 2017 |access-date=11 November 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> while the T20Is were drawn 1–1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Waller and Madziva pull off heist |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-tour-of-bangladesh-2015-16-931380/bangladesh-vs-zimbabwe-2nd-t20i-931398/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229115514/http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-zimbabwe-2015-16/content/story/941141.html |archive-date=29 December 2016 |access-date=15 November 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

At the end of 2015 and the start of 2016, Zimbabwe contested a five-ODI and two-T20I series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates. They took the ODI series to the deciding match before losing 3–2, and lost both T20Is.<ref>{{cite web |title=Naib heroics lift Afghanistan to thrilling series win |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-tour-of-united-arab-emirates-2015-16-953329/afghanistan-vs-zimbabwe-5th-odi-953343/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109040013/http://www.espncricinfo.com/afghanistan-v-zimbabwe-2015-16/content/story/958737.html |archive-date=9 January 2016 |access-date=6 January 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Belligerent Shahzad ton propels Afghanistan to series win |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-tour-of-united-arab-emirates-2015-16-953329/afghanistan-vs-zimbabwe-2nd-t20i-953347/match-report |access-date=10 January 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Zimbabwe then toured Bangladesh for a four-T20I series which was drawn 2–2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-zimbabwe-jan-2015-16/engine/series/958411.html |title=Zimbabwe tour of Bangladesh, Jan 2016 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=17 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114090258/http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-zimbabwe-jan-2015-16/engine/series/958411.html |archive-date=14 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After Chigumbura stepped down as captain, Hamilton Masakadza was named skipper.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Masakadza named Zimbabwe captain |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/hamilton-masakadza-named-zimbabwe-captain-967519 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201094312/http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2015-16/content/story/967519.html |archive-date=1 February 2016 |access-date=24 January 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> During the [[2016 ICC World Twenty20]] in India, Zimbabwe were knocked out in the first round after they lost to Afghanistan by 59 runs.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 March 2016 |title=Afghanistan progress to main draw with thumping win |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-2016/content/story/981483.html |access-date=12 March 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Zimbabwe axed coach Whatmore and captain Hamilton Masakadza before the India tour in mid-2016. [[Makhaya Ntini]] the bowling coach was given interim responsibility of coaching while previously appointed vice-captain [[Graeme Cremer]] who had missed the [[ICC World Twenty20 2016]] was appointed stand-in captain. [[Lance Klusener]] was appointed batting coach on a full-time basis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/zimbabwe-axe-coach-ahead-of-india-tour/story-J2X8Wdb1am27rsMPUUaTTM.html |title=Zimbabwe axe coach ahead of India tour |publisher=hindustantimes.com |access-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602060547/http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/zimbabwe-axe-coach-ahead-of-india-tour/story-J2X8Wdb1am27rsMPUUaTTM.html |archive-date=2 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2016|India toured Zimbabwe]] for the fourth time in about six years for a three ODI and three t20I series. Indian selectors rested most of its senior players except for skipper [[MS Dhoni]] who visited the country for the first time in the decade. Zimbabwe was thrashed 0–3 in the ODI series which led to angry reactions by the fans.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 June 2016 |title=When the music stopped at Harare's Castle Corner |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/when-the-music-stopped-at-harare-s-castle-corner-1026131 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613201931/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-india-2016/content/story/1026131.html |archive-date=13 June 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> To add injury to insult, several key Zimbabwe players like [[Sean Williams (cricketer)|Sean Williams]], [[Craig Ervine]], [[Vusi Sibanda]], [[Luke Jongwe]], [[Richmond Mutumbami]] and [[Tinashe Panyangara]] were injured before or during the t20 series. Despite this, Zimbabwe managed to win the first T20I by two runs before going down meekly in the second. The series remained tied 1–1 after two games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sran and Bumrah wreck Zimbabwe as India level series |date=20 June 2016 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-zimbabwe-2016-1007647/zimbabwe-vs-india-2nd-t20i-1007657/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620173120/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-india-2016/content/story/1027819.html |archive-date=20 June 2016 |access-date=20 June 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In the last game, Zimbabwe went down fighting by 3 runs to lose the series 1–2. In 2016 season, New Zealand [[New Zealand cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2016|toured Zimbabwe]] in late July and won both tests convincingly, recorded as the Zimbabwe's sixth straight loss to Kiwis.<ref>{{cite web |title=NZ spinners cap off Zimbabwe capitulation for 2–0 win |date=10 August 2016 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-zim-2016-1024039/zimbabwe-vs-new-zealand-2nd-test-1024043/match-report-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811153955/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2016/content/story/1044457.html |archive-date=11 August 2016 |access-date=10 August 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 August 2016 |title=Zimbabwe's sixth straight loss to New Zealand |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sixth-straight-loss-for-zimbabwe-against-new-zealand-1044495 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811132021/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2016/content/story/1044495.html |archive-date=11 August 2016 |access-date=10 August 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Before the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2016-17|Sri Lanka tour]] on late September, Streak was appointed as head coach of Zimbabwe, with Ntini appointed as bowling coach. The task was given to qualify for the [[2019 ICC Cricket World Cup]] and go up through the ranks in coming years.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 October 2016 |title=Streak appointed Zimbabwe head coach |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/heath-streak-appointed-zimbabwe-head-coach-succeeding-dav-whatmore-1061193 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107014841/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/1061193.html |archive-date=7 November 2016 |access-date=6 November 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Zimbabwe played their 100th Test match on 29 October 2016 against Sri Lanka, but lost the match by 225 runs in the last hour of the fifth day after a fighting innings by skipper [[Graeme Cremer]].<ref>{{cite web |date=27 October 2016 |title=Hope rises again for Zimbabwe cricket |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/hope-rises-again-for-zimbabwe-cricket-1063593 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107012131/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-sri-lanka-2016-17/content/story/1063593.html |archive-date=7 November 2016 |access-date=6 November 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2 November 2016 |title=Sri Lanka overcome Zimbabwe's resistance in last-hour win |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-tour-of-zimbabwe-2016-17-1059701/zimbabwe-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-1059702/match-report-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105030221/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-sri-lanka-2016-17/content/story/1064392.html |archive-date=5 November 2016 |access-date=6 November 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Zimbabwe went on to lose the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2016-17|two match series]] 0–2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Herath caps series sweep with 13-for |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-tour-of-zimbabwe-2016-17-1059701/zimbabwe-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-test-1059703/match-report-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111001052/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-sri-lanka-2016-17/content/story/1065550.html |archive-date=11 November 2016 |access-date=10 November 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

The test series was followed by a [[2016–17 Zimbabwe Tri-Series|tri-series]] also featuring West Indies. Zimbabwe advanced to the finals with four different results – a loss, a tie, a no-result and a win. However, Zimbabwe lost the final to Sri Lanka by six wickets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mendis, Tharanga steer Sri Lanka to title |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-tri-nation-series-2016-17-1059705/zimbabwe-vs-sri-lanka-final-1059716/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127154802/http://www.espncricinfo.com/tri-nation-zimbabwe-2016-17/content/story/1069191.html |archive-date=27 November 2016 |access-date=27 November 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In early 2017, Afghanistan again defeated Zimbabwe [[Afghan cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2016-17|in the ODI series]] and won the series 3–2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Afghanistan raze Zimbabwe for 54 to seal series |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zim-v-afg-2016-17-1079242/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-5th-odi-1079250/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227024755/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-afghanistan-2016-17/content/story/1084513.html |archive-date=27 February 2017 |access-date=26 February 2017 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Zimbabwe's next one day international series was [[Zimbabwean cricket team in Scotland in 2017|against Scotland]] in the European country in mid 2017 which was tied 1–1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zimbabwe level series courtesy Cremer's five-wicket haul |date=17 June 2017 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zim-v-scot-2017-1089417/scotland-vs-zimbabwe-2nd-odi-1089420/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629185243/http://www.espncricinfo.com/scotland-v-zimbabwe-2017/content/story/1104298.html |archive-date=29 June 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

After 15 years, Zimbabwe toured Sri Lanka for 5-ODIs and a single Test in late June 2017. In the first match against Sri Lanka at Galle on 30 June 2017, Zimbabwe recorded their first ODI win against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, which is also recorded as their first win in any format against them within Sri Lanka. [[Solomon Mire]] scored a match-winning century and Zimbabwe successfully chased 319, which was also recorded as the first successful chase over 300 on Sri Lankan soil.<ref name="zimrecord">{{cite web |date=30 June 2017 |title=Zimbabwe ace first successful 300-plus chase in Sri Lanka |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-ace-first-successful-300-plus-chase-in-sri-lanka-1107602 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630165855/http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-zimbabwe-2017/content/story/1107602.html |archive-date=30 June 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Despite the opening win, Zimbabwe went on to lose the next two games but bounced back to win the fourth game in a rain-affected match. In the fifth game, Sri Lanka set Zimbabwe a total of 204 runs to chase with Sikandar Raza claiming a career-best 3/21. In reply, Zimbabwe was 137–1 thanks to Hamilton Masakadza's 73 before a collapse saw them lose six wickets before reaching 175. Skipper Cremer joined Raza to score the remaining runs and Zimbabwe won with about 12 overs to spare.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raza stars in historic series win |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-v-zim-2017-1104471/sri-lanka-vs-zimbabwe-5th-odi-1104482/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710234509/http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-zimbabwe-2017/content/story/1110313.html |archive-date=10 July 2017 |access-date=10 July 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo|date=10 July 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 July 2017 |title=Four reasons why this is a historic win for Zimbabwe |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/four-reasons-why-this-is-a-historic-win-for-zimbabwe-1110378 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710234530/http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-zimbabwe-2017/content/story/1110378.html |archive-date=10 July 2017 |access-date=10 July 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>

Zimbabwe lost the following one-off test by 4 wickets, partly due to a controversial stumping decision on the fifth day of the test.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/95922/graeme-cremer-questions-niroshan-dickwella-stumping-zimbabwe-cricket-team-tour-of-sri-lanka-2017 |title=Cremer questions Dickwella stumping |date=18 July 2017 |access-date=21 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021111704/http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/95922/graeme-cremer-questions-niroshan-dickwella-stumping-zimbabwe-cricket-team-tour-of-sri-lanka-2017 |archive-date=21 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this, Zimbabwe team and especially coach Heath Streak were showered with praises on their return.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.herald.co.zw/streak-showered-with-praises/ |title=Streak showered with praises |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720042746/http://www.herald.co.zw/streak-showered-with-praises/ |archive-date=20 July 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October, former players [[Brendan Taylor]] and [[Kyle Jarvis]] returned to the national team after a two-year hiatus to play in the two test match series against the West Indies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/west-indies-in-zimbabwe/taylor-jarvis-to-resume-test-careers-for-zimbabwe-against-west-indies/articleshow/61151246.cms |title=Taylor, Jarvis to resume Test careers for Zimbabwe against West Indies &#124; Cricket News - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=21 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021131003/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/west-indies-in-zimbabwe/taylor-jarvis-to-resume-test-careers-for-zimbabwe-against-west-indies/articleshow/61151246.cms |archive-date=21 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Zimbabwe lost the first match and the [[West Indian cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2017–18|two test series]] 0–1 to West Indies. However, their draw in the second game was their first in over 12 years and they also earned their first points on the ICC rankings table while ending their ten-match losing streak.

Zimbabwe finished the year with an innings defeat within two days against South Africa in a rare [[Zimbabwean cricket team in South Africa in 2017–18#Only Test|four-day test]].

Zimbabwe began 2018 with one win (against Sri Lanka) out of four games in a [[2017–18 Bangladesh Tri-Nation Series|tri-series]] that involved hosts Bangladesh. They failed to qualify for the finals.

Zimbabwe's next commitment was [[Zimbabwean cricket team against Afghanistan in the UAE in 2017–18|in the UAE]] where they again lost 0–2 to Afghanistan in a t20 series. This was followed by yet another ODI series defeat (1-4) against Afghanistan.
In March, Zimbabwe hosted nine other teams in the [[2018 Cricket World Cup qualifier|qualifiers for the 2019 ICC World Cup]] to decide the top two teams that will join the elite eight at cricket's premier event to be held in England and Wales. Zimbabwe were placed in group B alongside Afghanistan, Nepal, Hong Kong and Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 March 2018 |title=Zimbabwe's last big job |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/brickhill-zimbabwe-s-last-big-job-1138737 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329101314/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22639394/zimbabwe-last-big-job |archive-date=29 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Zimbabwe progressed to the super sixes by beating Nepal,<ref>{{cite web |date=4 March 2018 |title=Raza, Taylor tons power Zimbabwe to massive win |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/cricket-wc-qualifier-2017-18-1132997/zimbabwe-vs-nepal-3rd-match-group-b-1133000/match-report |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Afghanistan<ref>{{cite web |title=Zimbabwe hang on to clinch two-run thriller |date=6 March 2018 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/cricket-wc-qualifier-2017-18-1132997/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-7th-match-group-b-1133004/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330213750/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/1139075.html |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> and Hong Kong<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8038/report/1133012/zimbabwe-vs-hong-kong-15th-match,-group-b/ |title=Zimbabwe make it three wins in three |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=28 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330213835/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8038/report/1133012/zimbabwe-vs-hong-kong-15th-match,-group-b/ |archive-date=30 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and earning a tie with Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 March 2018 |title=Muzarabani holds nerve to give Zimbabwe thrilling tie |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/cricket-wc-qualifier-2017-18-1132997/zimbabwe-vs-scotland-20th-match-group-b-1133017/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330214531/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22733216/muzarabani-holds-nerve-give-zimbabwe-thrilling-tie |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Zimbabwe beat Ireland in the first game<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikandar Raza and spinners subdue Ireland |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/cricket-wc-qualifier-2017-18-1132997/zimbabwe-vs-ireland-25th-match-super-sixes-1133022/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330215116/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/1140469.html |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> of the super sixes but lost the second to West Indies.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 March 2018 |title=Holder, Samuels take West Indies closer to World Cup |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/cricket-wc-qualifier-2017-18-1132997/zimbabwe-vs-west-indies-29th-match-super-sixes-1133026/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330213856/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22834135/jason-holder-marlon-samuels-take-west-indies-closer-world-cup |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Needing to win their last game, Zimbabwe suffered a shock loss by 3 runs against UAE and were knocked out of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=UAE all but end Zimbabwe's World Cup dream |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/cricket-wc-qualifier-2017-18-1132997/zimbabwe-vs-united-arab-emirates-32nd-match-super-sixes-1133029/match-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330213811/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1141258.html |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> This was the first time Zimbabwe had failed to qualify for the Cricket World Cup.

With this failure, Zimbabwe Cricket sacked all the national coaching staff, national captain, under-19 coach and national selector from their positions. During a press conference, ZC suggested that Brendan Taylor would take over leadership of the team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zimbabwe Cricket sacks captain Cremer and all coaching staff |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-cricket-sacks-captain-cremer-and-all-coaching-staff-1142049 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330214132/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22964374/zimbabwe-cricket-sack-captain-cremer-all-coaching-staff |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In May 2018, ZC announced the appointment of [[Lalchand Rajput]] as interim head coach.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/691619 |title=Zimbabwe appoint Lalchand Rajput as interim head coach |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517223340/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/691619 |archive-date=17 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2018, he was confirmed as the permanent coach of the team.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 August 2018 |title=Lalchand Rajput confirmed as Zimbabwe head coach |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lalchand-rajput-confirmed-as-zimbabwe-head-coach-1156538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824152051/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24461423/lalchand-rajput-confirmed-zimbabwe-head-coach |archive-date=24 August 2018 |access-date=24 August 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>

In July 2018, Zimbabwe [[2018 Zimbabwe Tri-Nation Series|hosted Australia and Pakistan]] in a T20I tri-series. Zimbabwe players - [[Brendan Taylor]], [[Graeme Cremer]], [[Sean Williams (cricketer)|Sean Williams]], [[Craig Ervine]] and [[Sikandar Raza]] - refused to play after being not paid their salaries for about a year which resulted in a depleted Zimbabwe side losing their games heavily and getting knocked out in the first round. This was followed by a [[Pakistani cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2018|five-ODI series]] against Pakistan where Zimbabwe - further rattled by the losses of Malcolm Waller, Solomon Mire, and Kyle Jarvis - lost all five games by heavy margins.

Zimbabwe's losing streak in international matches was extended to nineteen as the team lost the ODI series (0-3) and the t20I series (0-2) [[Zimbabwean cricket team in South Africa in 2018–19|in South Africa]] in October and the ODI series (0-3) [[Zimbabwean cricket team in Bangladesh in 2018–19|in Bangladesh]] in the same month. Zimbabwe put an end to the streak by winning the first test against Bangladesh by 151 runs. This was the Chevrons' first away win since 2001. The series was eventually tied 1-1.

2019 began on a bad note for Zimbabwe with Graeme Cremer putting his career on hold<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newzimbabwe.com/cremer-temporarily-quits-zim-cricket-cites-family-commitments |title=Cremer temporarily quits Zim cricket; cites family commitments |access-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414123037/https://www.newzimbabwe.com/cremer-temporarily-quits-zim-cricket-cites-family-commitments/ |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=live |date=11 January 2019 }}</ref> and proposed tours of India and Afghanistan being called off.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1094623 |title = Afghanistan's proposed tour of Zimbabwe called off}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.crictracker.com/india-zimbabwe-series-in-doubt-due-to-ipl-2019-schedule/ |title=India-Zimbabwe series in doubt due to IPL 2019 schedule |access-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414123136/https://www.crictracker.com/india-zimbabwe-series-in-doubt-due-to-ipl-2019-schedule/ |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=live |date=14 January 2019 }}</ref> Zimbabwe retained Hamilton Masakadza as skipper for all formats (despite the cricketer having not won a single limited overs match) while [[Peter Moor]] was named deputy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/hamilton-masakadza-named-zimbabwe-skipper-across-all-formats-2041953.html |title=Hamilton Masakadza Named Zimbabwe Skipper Across All Formats |access-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414123035/https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/hamilton-masakadza-named-zimbabwe-skipper-across-all-formats-2041953.html |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=live |date=19 February 2019 }}</ref> However, Masakadza along with Taylor missed the [[Emirati cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2018–19|series against UAE]] due to injury.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/zimbabwe-vs-uae-2019-injured-hamilton-masakadza-and-brendan-taylor-out-of-uae-odis-826203 |title=Injured Masakadza and Taylor out of UAE ODIs - Cricket Country |date=8 April 2019 |access-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414123037/https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/zimbabwe-vs-uae-2019-injured-hamilton-masakadza-and-brendan-taylor-out-of-uae-odis-826203 |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Moor captained the team in Masakadza's absence. Under Moor, Zimbabwe recorded their first series clean sweep in over a decade by beating UAE 4–0.

Masakadza returned along with Taylor for Zimbabwe's [[Zimbabwean cricket team in the Netherlands in 2019|tour to the Netherlands]]. Zimbabwe lost the ODI series 0–2. After the Netherlands won the first t20i, the second game ended in a dramatic tie. Zimbabwe won the super over to tie the series 1-1. During the tour, Zimbabwe's cricket board was suspended and was replaced by an interim board.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/zimbabwe-cricket-board-suspended/articleshow/69899851.cms |title=Zimbabwe cricket board suspended &#124; Cricket News - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=1 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622204038/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/zimbabwe-cricket-board-suspended/articleshow/69899851.cms |archive-date=22 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Zimbabwe also lost the ODI series 0–3 in the subsequent [[Zimbabwean cricket team in Ireland in 2019|tour of Ireland]]. The t20I series was tied 1-1.

ICC voluntarily suspended the Zimbabwe Cricket on 18 July 2019 from ICC tournaments citing political interventions in the Cricket Board of Zimbabwe. The decision taken by ICC panel left several players frustrated.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/icc-suspends-Zimbabwe-cricket-board-sikandar-raza-says-one-decision-has-ended-so-many-careers-2071939 |title=ICC Suspends Zimbabwe Cricket Board: Sikandar Raza Says |newspaper=Ndtvsports.com |access-date=19 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719062636/https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/icc-suspends-Zimbabwe-cricket-board-sikandar-raza-says-one-decision-has-ended-so-many-careers-2071939 |archive-date=19 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the ban, Zimbabwe could not compete in the qualifiers for [[2020 ICC World Twenty20]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/news/nigeria-replace-zimbabwe-t20-world-cup-qualifier-1783081 |title=Nigeria replace Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup Qualifier|date=7 August 2019}}</ref> Zimbabwe's board was reinstated by their government soon after, but the suspension stayed.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/zimbabwe-cricket-board-reinstated-team-still-suspended-119080901148_1.html |title = Zimbabwe cricket board reinstated, the team still suspended|newspaper=Business Standard India|date = 9 August 2019}}</ref> During the time, Solomon Mire and captain Hamilton Masakadza (under whom Zimbabwe had lost all 25 completed ODIs) announced their retirements.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/zimbabwe/zimbabwe_captain_hamilton_masakadza_retire_international_cricket.html |title=Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza to retire from international cricket}}</ref>

Despite the suspension by the ICC, Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed that they would still be participating in the [[2019–20 Bangladesh Tri-Nation Series]], as they can still play against other [[List of International Cricket Council members|ICC members]].<ref>{{cite web |date=7 August 2019 |title=Zimbabwe to tour Bangladesh for tri-series in September |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-to-tour-bangladesh-for-tri-series-in-september-1196931 |access-date=7 August 2019 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> The tri-series started on 13 September, with the final scheduled to be held on 24 September.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://circleofcricket.com/category/Latest_news/38990/bangladesh-to-host-afghanistan-and-zimbabwe-for-a-triangular-t20i-series-in-september-2019|title=Bangladesh to host Afghanistan and Zimbabwe for a Triangular T20I Series in September 2019|work=Circle of Cricket|author=Rashmi Nanda|date=27 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/bangladesh-to-host-afghanistan-and-zimbabwe-for-a-t20i-tri-series-in-september/|title=Bangladesh to host Afghanistan and Zimbabwe for a T20I tri-series in September|work=Crictracker|access-date=27 June 2019|date=27 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/402749/2019/06/27/Bangladesh-to-host-Afghanistan-Zimbabwe-for-T20-triseries|title=Bangladesh to host Afghanistan, Zimbabwe for T20 tri-series|work=The Daily Sun|date=27 June 2019}}</ref> Masakadza's last assignment led to Zimbabwe winning one game out of four and bowing out of the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/19449/report/1197144/afghanistan-vs-zimbabwe-5th-match-bangladesh-twenty20-tri-series|title = Hamilton Masakadza bids farewell with match-winning 71}}</ref>

Under new stand-in captain Sean Williams and missing many of their regular players, Zimbabwe toured Singapore to play in a final [[2019–20 Singapore Tri-Nation Series|Tri-Nation Series]] also involving [[Nepal national cricket team|Nepal]]. Zimbabwe beat Nepal in the first game but lost to 21st ranked [[Singapore national cricket team|Singapore]] in the second.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/cricket-singapore-shock-zimbabwe-in-a-four-run-win-at-tri-nations-t20-series |title=Cricket: Singapore shock Zimbabwe in a four-run win at Tri-Nations T20 Series|newspaper=The Straits Times |date=30 September 2019}}</ref> Zimbabwe won the next two games to register their first-ever series win in t20i format.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/19567/report/1201685/singapore-vs-zimbabwe-6th-match-singapore-twenty20-tri-series|title = Zimbabwe ride on Moor 92* to avenge loss to Singapore}}</ref> In October 2019, the ICC lifted its suspension on Zimbabwe Cricket, allowing them to take part in future ICC events.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 October 2019 |title=Zimbabwe and Nepal readmitted as ICC members |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-and-nepal-readmitted-as-icc-members-1203756 |access-date=14 October 2019 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>

Zimbabwe's first commitment of the year 2020 was a two-test home series against Sri Lanka which they lost 0–1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/112075/sri-lanka-claim-series-through-mendis-led-draw|title = Sri Lanka claim series through Mendis-led draw| date=31 January 2020 }}</ref> This was followed by a lone test and ODI series loss [[Zimbabwean cricket team in Bangladesh in 2019–20|in Bangladesh]]. They lost the lone test in Sylhet by an innings and 106 runs. In the first ODI, thanks to a Liton Das century, they lost by a huge margin of 169 runs. The second ODI was a closer affair as Donald Tiripano's incredible assault led to them causing a huge upset, but eventually, Zimbabwe lost by 4 runs. They were crushed by a 292 run partnership by the Bangladeshi openers and went on to lose by 123 runs. After the 0–3 loss, the two teams squared off for a two-game t20i series which Zimbabwe lost 0–2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/3121/zimbabwe-tour-of-bangladesh-2020|title = Zimbabwe tour of Bangladesh, 2020 matches, scorecards, preview, points table, news, videos and statistics}}</ref>

As of April 25, 2021 Zimbabwe had played 3 T20i matches against Pakistan marking a remarkable win in second T20 match held at 23 April in Harare restricting opposition to 99/10 against 119 and that was also their first ever victory in T20 against Pakistan.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geosuper.tv/latest/8511-pak-vs-zim-live-score-commentary-for-2nd-t20i-in-harare-april-23|title = Pak vs Zim: Live score, commentary for 2nd T20I in Harare, April 23}}</ref>

===  2022–2023: the redemption, 2022 World Cup qualifier success, first ever win on Australian soil and T20 World Cup ===
In Group A, United States and Zimbabwe both won their first two matches to secure their places in the semi-finals of the tournament. The Netherlands and Zimbabwe reached the final of the tournament to qualify for the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Hosts Zimbabwe beat the Netherlands by 37 runs in the final to win the tournament.

The Bangladesh cricket team toured Zimbabwe in July and August 2022 to play three one-day international (ODI) and three Twenty20 international (T20I) matches.Zimbabwe won the opening T20I match by 17 runs. It was the team's sixth-consecutive win in T20Is, their best in the format.  Zimbabwe won the third T20I by 10 runs to win the series by 2–1 margin, which was their first T20I series win against Bangladesh and defeated them in ODI matches too 2-1. Sikandar Raza was player of the series in both the series, Ryan Burl also made a record of 34 runs in a over against Nasum Ahmed bettering shakib al hasan's record of 30 runs a over which dates back in 2019

Although they lost the series 3-0, there was a good fight back against India in 3rd ODI, completely whitewashed by India.

Zimbabwe lost the matches 2-0, but sprung up a surprise to Australians to win the 3rd final ODI . Ryan Burl starred again with his 5/10 being the best bowling by a Zimbabwe player against Australia in ODIs, which incidentally was their first ever win on Australian soil .Ending the series 2-1 . Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton was impressed by team's performance.

Zimbabwe qualified for the Super 12 of the 2022 T20 World Cup after victory over Scotland and Ireland and a loss to the West Indies. The first game of the Super 12 was a no result against neighbours South Africa. The second game brought about a famous 1 run win over Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-27 |title='When Zimbabwe ask for Mr Bean, you give them Mr Bean': Twitter goes crazy after Pakistan's shocking defeat at T20 WC |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/when-zimbabwe-ask-for-mr-bean-you-give-them-mr-bean-twitter-goes-crazy-after-pakistan-s-shocking-defeat-at-t20-wc-101666881749328.html |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2024: T20I world record===
On 23 October 2024, Zimbabwe set a world record for the highest score in a men's T20I with 344 for 4 against [[Gambia national cricket team|The Gambia]], during the [[2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier B]] tournament in Kenya. The innings included [[Sikandar Raza]] becoming the first Zimbabwe player to score a T20I century, making 133 not out off 43 balls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/crmzwk7z9kvo|title=Zimbabwe set new T20 world record in Gambia win|date=23 October 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/men-s-t20-world-cup-sub-regional-africa-qlf-b-2024-25-1453889/gambia-vs-zimbabwe-12th-match-1453932/match-report|title=Zimbabwe's 344 for 4 breaks the record for highest T20 total|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/13239637/zimbabwe-smash-344-in-t20-cricket-as-records-tumble-during-290-run-win-over-the-gambia|title=Zimbabwe smash 344 in T20 international as records tumble |publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref>

==International grounds==
{{main|List of cricket grounds in Zimbabwe}}

{{location map+|Zimbabwe|width=250|caption=Locations of all stadiums which have hosted an international cricket match within Zimbabwe|places=
{{location map~|Zimbabwe|label=<small>[[Bulawayo Athletic Club]]</small>|position=right|lat=-20.164836|long=28.593483}}
{{location map~|Zimbabwe|label=<small>[[Old Hararians]]</small>|position=left|lat=-17.814858|long=31.027358}}
{{location map~|Zimbabwe|label=<small>[[Harare Sports Club]]</small>|position=right|lat=-17.814075|long=31.050578}}
{{location map~|Zimbabwe|label=<small>[[Kwekwe Sports Club]]</small>|position=right|lat=-18.93|long=29.81}}
{{location map~|Zimbabwe|label=<small>[[Queens Sports Club]]</small>|position=left|lat=-20.145108|long=28.588944}}
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Venue !! City !! Capacity !! First used !! Tests !! ODIs !! T20Is
|-
!colspan=7| Active venues
|-
| [[Harare Sports Club]] || [[Harare]] || 10,000 || 1992 || 39 || 157 || 32
|-
| [[Bulawayo Athletic Club]] || [[Bulawayo]] || 12,000 || 1992 || 1 || 4 || 10
|-
| [[Queens Sports Club]] || [[Bulawayo]] || 12,497|| 1994 || 23 || 80 || 19
|-
| [[Takashinga Cricket Club]] || [[Harare]] ||      || 2023 || 0 || 9  || 0
|-
!colspan=7| Former venues
|-
| [[Kwekwe Sports Club]] || [[Kwekwe]] || 1,400 || 2002 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
| [[Old Hararians]] || [[Harare]] || — || 2018 || 0 || 5 || 0
|}

==Current squad==
This is a list of players who have played for Zimbabwe in the past 12 months or have been named in the recent Test, ODI or T20I squad. Uncapped players are listed in italics. Updated on 30 July 2025.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  style="text-align:center; background:#D40000; color:white; | Name
!  style="text-align:center; background:#D40000; color:white; | Age
!  style="text-align:center; background:#D40000; color:white; | Batting style
!  style="text-align:center; background:#D40000; color:white; | Bowling style
!  style="text-align:center; background:#D40000; color:white; | Domestic team
!  style="text-align:center; background:#D40000; color:white; | Forms
!  style="text-align:center; background:#D40000; color:white; | No.
!  style="text-align:center; background:#D40000; color:white; | Notes
|-
!colspan="9"| Batters
|-
| [[Craig Ervine]] || {{age|1985|8|19}} || Left-handed || [[Off break|OB]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || Test, ODI || 77 || Test, ODI (C) 
|-
| [[Ben Curran]] || {{age|1996|6|07}} || Left-handed || [[Off break|OB]] || [[Mid West Rhinos]] || Test, ODI || 57 ||
|-
| [[Nick Welch (cricketer)|Nick Welch]] || {{age|1998|2|05}} || Right-handed || [[leg break|LB]] || [[Mountaineers]] || Test, T20I || 67 ||
|-
| [[Innocent Kaia]] || {{age|1992|8|10}} || Right-handed || [[Leg break|LB]] || [[Southern Rocks]] || Test, T20I || 9 ||
|-
| [[Tanunurwa Makoni]] || {{age|1999|11|28}} || Right-handed || [[Fast bowling|RM]] || [[Matabeleland Tuskers]] || Test || 47 ||
|-
| [[Tinashe Kamunhukamwe]] || {{age|1995|7|10}} || Right-handed || [[Off break|OB]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || ODI || 22 ||
|-
| [[Brian Bennett (cricketer)|Brian Bennett]] || {{age|2003|11|10}} || Right-handed || [[Off break|OB]] || [[Mountaineers cricket team|Mountaineers]] || Test, T20I || 86 ||
|-
| [[Takudzwanashe Kaitano]] || {{age|1993|6|15}} || Right-handed || [[Off break|OB]] || [[Mid West Rhinos]] || ODI || 83 ||
|-
| [[Dion Myers]] || {{age|2002|3|21}} || Right-handed || [[Fast bowling|RFM]] || [[Mountaineers cricket team|Mountaineers]] || Test, T20I || 8 ||
|-
| [[Prince Masvaure]] || {{age|1988|10|7}} || Left-handed || [[Fast bowling|LFM]] || [[Mid West Rhinos]] || Test || 56 ||
|-
!colspan="8"| All-rounders
|-
| [[Sikandar Raza]] || {{age|1986|4|24}} || Right-handed || [[off break|OB]] || [[Southern Rocks]] || ODI, T20I || 24 || T20I (C)
|-
| [[Ryan Burl]] || {{age|1994|4|15}} || Left-handed || [[leg break|LB]] || [[Mid West Rhinos]] || ODI, T20I || 54 || T20I (VC)
|-
| [[Milton Shumba]] || {{age|2000|11|27}} || Left-handed || [[Left-arm orthodox spin|SLO]] || [[Matabeleland Tuskers]] || ODI, T20I || 3 ||
|-
| [[Wessly Madhevere]] || {{age|2000|10|6}} || Right-handed || [[off break|OB]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || ODI, T20I || 17 ||
|-
| [[Sean Williams (cricketer)|Sean Williams]] || {{age|1986|9|26}} || Left-handed || [[Left-arm orthodox spin|SLO]] || [[Matabeleland Tuskers]] || Test, ODI || 14 ||
|-
| [[Johnathan Campbell]] || {{age|1997|12|17}} || Left-handed || [[Leg break|LB]] || [[Southern Rocks]] || Test, T20I || 2 || Test (VC)
|-
| [[Tony Munyonga]] || {{age|1999|1|31}} || Right-handed || [[Off break|OB]] || [[Mountaineers cricket team|Mountaineers]] || ODI || 32 ||
|-
| [[Roy Kaia]] || {{age|1991|10|10}} || Right-handed || [[Off break|OB]] || [[Southern Rocks]] || Test || 90 ||
|-
!colspan="8"| Wicket-keepers
|-
| [[Brendan Taylor]] || {{age|1986|2|06}} || Right-handed || - || [[Mid West Rhinos]] || Test, ODI, T20I || 1 ||
|-
| [[Tafadzwa Tsiga]] || {{age|1994|7|13}} || Right-handed || - || [[Southern Rocks]] || Test || 6 ||
|-
| [[Clive Madande]] || {{age|2000|4|12}} || Right-handed || - || [[Matabeleland Tuskers]] || Test, ODI, T20I || 42 ||
|-
| [[Joylord Gumbie]] || {{age|1995|12|25}} || Right-handed || - || [[Mountaineers cricket team|Mountaineers]] || Test, ODI || 44 ||
|-
| [[Tadiwanashe Marumani]] || {{age|2002|1|02}} || Left-handed || [[Off break|OB]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || T20I || 49 ||
|-
| [[Nyasha Mayavo]] || {{age|1992|10|01}} || Right-handed || [[Leg break|LB]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || T20I || 49 ||
|-
!colspan="8"| Spin Bowlers
|-
| [[Wellington Masakadza]] || {{age|1993|10|3}} || Left-handed || [[Left-arm orthodox spin|SLO]] || [[Mountaineers cricket team|Mountaineers]] || Test, ODI, T20I || 11 ||
|-
| [[Vincent Masekesa]] || {{age|1997|03|27}} || Right-handed || [[leg break|LB]] || [[Mountaineers cricket team|Mountaineers]] || Test || 18 ||
|-
| [[Brandon Mavuta]] || {{age|1997|3|4}} || Right-handed || [[leg break|LB]] || [[Mid West Rhinos]] || Test, T20I || 23 ||
|-
| [[Tapiwa Mufudza]] || {{age|1990|9|20}} || Right-handed || [[off break|OB]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || ODI || 20 ||
|-
!colspan="8"| Pace Bowlers
|-
| [[Richard Ngarava]] || {{age|1997|12|28}} || Left-handed || [[Fast bowling|LFM]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || Test, ODI, T20I || 39 ||
|-
| [[Brad Evans (cricketer)|Brad Evans]] || {{age|1997|03|24}} || Right-handed || [[Fast bowling|RF]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || ODI || 04 ||
|-
| [[Victor Nyauchi]] || {{age|1992|7|8}} || Right-handed || [[Seam bowling|RFM]] || [[Mountaineers cricket team|Mountaineers]] || Test || 61 ||
|-
| [[Blessing Muzarabani]] || {{age|1996|10|2}} || Right-handed || [[Seam bowling|RFM]] || [[Southern Rocks]] || Test, ODI, T20I || 40 ||
|-
| [[Trevor Gwandu]] || {{age|1998|2|24}} || Right-handed || [[Seam bowling|RFM]] || [[Mid West Rhinos]] || Test, ODI, T20I ||  ||
|-
| [[Tanaka Chivanga]] || {{age|1993|7|24}} || Right-handed || [[Fast bowling|RF]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || Test || 27 ||
|-
| [[Luke Jongwe]] || {{age|1995|2|6}} || Right-handed || [[Seam bowling|RFM]] || [[Matabeleland Tuskers]] || ODI, T20I || 75 ||
|-
| [[Tendai Chatara]] || {{age|1991|2|28}} || Right-handed || [[Fast bowling|RFM]] || [[Mountaineers cricket team|Mountaineers]] || Test, T20I || 13 ||
|-
| [[Newman Nyamhuri]] || {{age|2006|1|19}} || Right-handed || [[Fast bowling|LFM]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || Test, ODI ||  ||
|-
| [[Faraz Akram]] || {{age|1993|10|3}} || Left-handed || [[Fast bowling|RFM]] || [[Mashonaland Eagles]] || ODI, T20I || 35 ||
|}

==Coaching staff==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#D40000; color:white; text-align:center; | Position
! style="background:#D40000; color:white; text-align:center; | Name
|-
| Director of cricket
||  [[Dirk Viljeon]]
|-
| Team manager
|| Lovemore Banda
|-
| Head coach
||  Justin Sammons 
|-
| Batting coach
||  [[Dion Ebrahim]]
|-
| Bowling coach
||  [[Charl Langeveldt]]
|-
| Fielding coach ||  [[Stuart Matsikenyeri]]
|-
| Strategic performance coach ||  [[Rivash Gobind]]
|}

==Colours==
In Test cricket, Zimbabwe wears cricket whites with the [[Zimbabwe Bird]] insignia on the left side of the chest and the sponsor logo on the right side of the chest. Fielders wear a dark green cap or a white sunhat, also with the Zimbabwe Bird insignia. The helmets worn by the batsmen are coloured similarly.

In ODI and T20 cricket, Zimbabwe wears red kits, usually with yellow accents, or sometimes green or black. Fielders wear a red baseball cap or a red sunhat. The batsman helmet is dark green. In ICC competitions, the sponsor logo is on the left sleeve and the inscription "ZIMBABWE" is on the front of the shirt. Before adopting the primary colour red for uniforms Zimbabwe wore pastel green in limited overs matches, starting with their 1982 series against Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/42/42939.html |title=Zimbabwe v Sri Lankans |website=[[CricketArchive]] |access-date=11 January 2023 }}</ref>

The current uniforms are manufactured by Vega Sportswear.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/back-to-where-it-began-for-zimbabwe/ |title=Back to where it began for Zimbabwe |date=3 March 2018 |access-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402021301/https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/back-to-where-it-began-for-zimbabwe/ |archive-date=2 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Previous manufacturers were [[Reebok]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/484154.html |title=Zimbabwe sign $1 million sponsor deal |access-date=8 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101054026/http://www.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/484154.html |archive-date=1 November 2010 |url-status=live |date=29 October 2010 }}</ref> (2011-2013), Ihsan Sports (2004-2007),<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/200412170316.html Zimbabwe:Cricket deal sealed]</ref> [[Asics]] (1999) and [[International Sports Clothing]] (1992-1996). PPC Zimbabwe is the current sponsor since 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chronicle.co.zw/zim-cricket-ppc-100k-deal-unveiled/ |title=Zim Cricket PPC 100K deal unveiled |date=23 February 2018 |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530034854/http://www.chronicle.co.zw/zim-cricket-ppc-100k-deal-unveiled/ |archive-date=30 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Previous sponsors were [[Castle Lager]] (2013-2018),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.herald.co.zw/light-shines-in-zim-cricket/ |title=Light shines in Zim cricket |date=7 August 2011 |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530035419/https://www.herald.co.zw/light-shines-in-zim-cricket/ |archive-date=30 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[CBZ Holdings|CBZ Limited]] (2010-2013),<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201003030050.html Zimbabwe: CBZ Commits to National Cricket]</ref> [[Old Mutual|Old Mutual Life Assurance]] (2002-2004)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/114195.html |title=Old Mutual in three-year sponsorship of Zimbabwe cricket |work=Cricinfo |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530040630/http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/story/114195.html |archive-date=30 May 2018 |url-status=live |date=12 February 2002 }}</ref> and [[African Sun|Zimbabwe Sun]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Zimbabwe ODI Shirt of David Houghton, 1996-97 |url=https://apps.lords.org/lords/tours-and-museum/museum/searchthecollections/artefactdetails/Museum/25532?page=1 |website=MCC Lord's Museum |access-date=5 April 2024}}</ref>

==Notable players==
''Players are included here because of outstanding achievement or another prominence/notoriety. For a fuller list of Zimbabwean cricketers, see [[:Category: Zimbabwean cricketers]].''

[[File:Andy Flower.png|thumb|right|[[Andy Flower]]]]

*[[Eddo Brandes]]&nbsp;– Fast bowler; first Zimbabwean to take an ODI hat-trick. Originally a chicken farmer; later became a coach in Australia.
*[[Alistair Campbell (cricketer)|Alistair Campbell]]&nbsp;– Former national captain and opening batsman; later an administrator and convener of selectors.
*[[Kevin Curran (cricketer)|Kevin Curran]]&nbsp;– Former all-rounder and Zimbabwe coach (2005–2007). Father of [[Tom Curran (cricketer)|Tom Curran]], [[Ben Curran]] and [[Sam Curran]].
*[[Mark Dekker]]&nbsp;– Former opening bat, the first batsman in Zimbabwe's history to carry his bat through a completed Test innings. Currently second team coach and interim head coach in [[county cricket]] for [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]].
*[[Sean Ervine]]&nbsp;– elder brother of Craig. Currently plays [[county cricket]] for [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]].
*[[Andy Flower]]&nbsp;– [[Wicket-keeper]] batsman, former national captain and black arm-band demonstrator. Once ranked as the top batsman in Test cricket. Coached the [[England cricket team|England team]] from 2009 to 2014.
*[[Grant Flower]]&nbsp;– Also played county cricket for [[Leicestershire County Cricket Club|Leicestershire]] and [[Essex County Cricket Club|Essex]], the latter alongside elder brother Andy. Retired from playing in 2010 and became a batting coach, first for Zimbabwe, then Pakistan, and currently for Sri Lanka.
*[[Duncan Fletcher]]&nbsp;- Former cricketer, who coached Indian cricket team and England cricket team. He was the coach of the England cricket team from 1999–2007 and is credited with the resurgence of the England team in Test cricket in the early 2000s
*[[Murray Goodwin]]&nbsp;– Born in Salisbury (now Harare), he began his career with Western Australia in 1994. Played county cricket for [[Sussex County Cricket Club|Sussex]] and [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club|Glamorgan]]; retired from playing in 2014 having made 71 first-class hundreds. Currently batting coach for Sussex.
*[[Graeme Hick]]&nbsp;– Member of 1983 World Cup squad at the age of 17 and represented Zimbabwe until 1986. Qualified for England and played international cricket from 1991 to 2001. [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club]] legend, for whom he compiled 106 of his 136 first-class hundreds.
*[[David Houghton (cricketer)|David Houghton]]&nbsp;– Former national captain, has the highest individual Test score for Zimbabwe (266). Later coached [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]]; is currently serving as the head coach of Zimbabwe cricket team.
*[[Kyle Jarvis]]&nbsp;– Son of Malcolm. Talented fast bowler represented Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013; signed a Kolpak deal and played for [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]] before returning to Zimbabwe in September 2017
*[[Neil Johnson (cricketer)|Neil Johnson]]&nbsp;– Born in Salisbury (now Harare). An all-rounder opened both the batting and bowling for his country in the [[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999 World Cup]]. He won three Man-of-the-Match awards and was influential in Zimbabwe's qualification to the Super 6 stage of the tournament.
*[[Hamilton Masakadza]]&nbsp;– Talented batsman and former national captain. Made history by scoring a century on his Test debut at the age of 17 in 2001; was also the first black Zimbabwean to score a first-class century, and the first batsman to make two scores of 150 or more in the same ODI series (against Kenya in 2009).
*[[Pommie Mbangwa]] &nbsp;– A fast bowler who played in 11 Tests for Zimbabwe, but became one of the worlds most famous commentators and recognisable voices in cricket.
*[[Henry Olonga]]&nbsp;– Quick bowler, musician, and black arm-band demonstrator. Olonga was the first black Zimbabwean to represent the country in 1995.
*[[Trevor Penney]]&nbsp;– Represented Zimbabwe before becoming a [[Warwickshire County Cricket Club]] stalwart from 1992 to 2005. Since retirement, his employment as fielding coach (an art in which he excelled) has been much sought-after, currently assisting the Indian national team.
*[[Ray Price (cricketer)|Ray Price]]&nbsp;– Spin bowler; one of the few white players to regularly represent Zimbabwe before and after the rebellion of 2004. Also played county cricket for Worcestershire.
*[[Paul Strang]]&nbsp;– elder brother of Bryan. Spin bowler and all-rounder, instrumental in Zimbabwe's rise in the mid to late 1990s; current coach of the [[Auckland Aces]].
*[[Heath Streak]]&nbsp;– Former national captain and leading wicket-taker for Zimbabwe in both Test and ODI cricket. Later became a bowling coach for both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
*[[Tatenda Taibu]]&nbsp;– Talented wicket-keeper batsman; became Zimbabwe's first black national captain in 2004 and – at 20 – the youngest Test captain ever, a record he retains as of 2016. Quit cricket for the Church in 2012, but returned to the sport in 2016 as a convener of selectors and development officer.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moonda |first=Firdose |date=22 June 2016 |title=The return of Tatenda Taibu |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/tatenda-taibu-on-returning-to-zimbabwe-as-a-cricket-administrator-1027603 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909174112/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/1027603.html |archive-date=9 September 2016 |access-date=9 September 2016 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
*[[Brendan Taylor]]&nbsp;– Regarded as one of Zimbabwe's few post-isolation international class players, became the first Zimbabwean batsman to hit back-to-back [[One Day International]] centuries and the first batsman to score more than 300 runs in a three-match ODI series. He opted for a Kolpak deal with [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club|Nottinghamshire]] after the 2015 World Cup. Returned to Zimbabwe in September 2017.
*[[Charles Coventry (Zimbabwean cricketer)|Charles Coventry]]&nbsp;– Coventry jointly held the record for the highest score in ODIs with Saeed Anwar after equaling his 194 versus Bangladesh in 2009 at Bulawayo, until it was surpassed by Sachin Tendulkar's 200* vs South Africa in 2010.
*[[John Traicos]]&nbsp;– Born in Egypt of Greek descent, represented South Africa in 1970 before ex-communication. The accurate off-spin bowler who broke records for the longevity of [[Test cricket|Test]] career when Zimbabwe debuted in 1992. Popular in quizzes&nbsp;– representing two countries in international but born in neither.
*[[Prosper Utseya]]&nbsp;– Spin bowler and former national captain. Second-highest ODI wicket-taker in ODIs and second Zimbabwean to take an ODI hat-trick.
*[[Guy Whittall]]&nbsp;– cousin of Andy Whittall. All-rounder and former captain.
*[[Graeme Cremer]]&nbsp;– Leg spin bowler and captain. Leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals for Zimbabwe.
*[[Stuart Carlisle]]&nbsp;– Middle-order Batsman and former captain. He represented the Zimbabwean national cricket team for 10 years and played 111 ODI and 37 test matches.
*[[Elton Chigumbura]]&nbsp;- Fast bowling all-rounder. Has taken over 100 ODI wickets and scored over 4000 ODI runs for Zimbabwe. Captained the team twice periods, first in 2010, then from 2014 till 2016. Also represented the U19 team in 2 world cups. Also, a well-traveled and explosive T20 batsman with a high strike rate
*[[Gary Ballance]]&nbsp;- Played for Zimbabwe U19's before representing England from 2013. Captain of [[Yorkshire CCC]]. He returned to play for Zimbabwe briefly in 2023.
*[[Colin de Grandhomme]]&nbsp;- Represented Zimbabwe U19's in the 2004 World Cup, before moving to New Zealand. He played in the 2019 World Cup Final and represented [[Kolkata Knight Riders]] & [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]] in the [[Indian Premier League|IPL]]
*[[Sam Curran]]&nbsp;- Represented Zimbabwe U13's before moving to England.

==Tournament history==

===ICC Men's Cricket World Cup===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!colspan="8"|[[Cricket World Cup]] record
|-
!width=150|Year
!width=150|Round
!width=50|Position
!width=50|GP
!width=50|W
!width=50|L
!width=50|T
!width=50|NR
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[1975 Cricket World Cup|1975]] ||rowspan="2" colspan="7"| ''Not eligible (not an ICC member)''
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[1979 Cricket World Cup|1979]]
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} [[1983 Cricket World Cup|1983]] ||rowspan=2| Group stage ||rowspan=2| 8/8 || 6 || 1 || 5 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|PAK}} [[1987 Cricket World Cup|1987]] || 6 || 0 || 6 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{flagicon|NZL}} [[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992]] || Group stage || 9/9 || 8 || 1 || 7 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|PAK}} {{flagicon|SRI}} [[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996]] || Group stage || 9/12 || 6 || 1 || 4 || 0 || 1
|-bgcolor="F2F2F2"
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}}  {{flagicon|SCO}} {{flagicon|IRE}} {{flagicon|NED}} [[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999]] ||rowspan=2| Super Sixes || 5/12 || 8 || 3 || 4 || 0 || 1
|-bgcolor="F2F2F2"
|style="border: 3px solid red"| {{flagicon|RSA}} {{flagicon|ZWE}} {{flagicon|KEN}}[[2003 Cricket World Cup|2003]] || 6/14 || 9 || 3 || 5 || 0 || 1
|-
| {{flagicon|WIN}} [[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007]] ||rowspan=3| Group stage || 13/16 || 3 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|SRI}} {{flagicon|BAN}} [[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011]] || 10/14 || 6 || 2 || 4 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} {{flagicon|NZL}} [[2015 Cricket World Cup|2015]] || 11/14 || 6 || 1 || 5 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} [[2019 Cricket World Cup|2019]] ||colspan="7" rowspan="2"| ''Did not qualify''
|-
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[2023 Cricket World Cup|2023]]
|-
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|RSA}} {{flagicon|ZIM}} {{flagicon|NAM}} [[2027 Cricket World Cup|2027]] ||colspan="7"| ''Qualified as co host''
|-
|{{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|BAN}} [[2031 Cricket World Cup|2031]] ||colspan="7"| TBD
|-
! Total || 0 Titles || 9/13 || 58 || 12 || 42 || 1 || 3
|}

===ICC Men's T20 World Cup===
{{main|Zimbabwe at the Men's T20 World Cup}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width=900px"
|-
!colspan="9"|[[ICC Men's T20 World Cup]] record
|-
!width=150|Year
!width=150|Round
!width=50|Position
!width=50|GP
!width=50|W
!width=50|L
!width=50|T
!width=50|NR
|-
| {{flagicon|RSA}} [[2007 ICC World Twenty20|2007]] || Group stage || 9/12 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009]] ||colspan="7"| ''Withdrew''
|-
| {{flagicon|WIN}} [[2010 ICC World Twenty20|2010]] ||rowspan=4| Group stage || 10/12 ||rowspan=2| 2 ||rowspan=2| 0 ||rowspan=2| 2 ||rowspan=2| 0 ||rowspan=2| 0
|-
| {{flagicon|SRI}} [[2012 ICC World Twenty20|2012]] || 11/12
|-
| {{flagicon|BAN}} [[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014]] ||rowspan=2| 11/16 ||rowspan=2| 3 ||rowspan=2| 2 ||rowspan=2| 1 ||rowspan=2| 0 ||rowspan=2| 0
|-
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[2016 ICC World Twenty20|2016]]
|-
| {{flagicon|UAE}}{{flagicon|OMA}} [[2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup|2021]] ||colspan="7"| ''Not eligible (suspended)''
|-
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup|2022]] ||Super 12||11/16||8||3||4||1||0
|-
| {{flagicon|WIN}}{{flagicon|USA}} [[2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup|2024]] ||colspan="7"|''Did not qualify''
|-
|{{flagicon|IND}}{{flagicon|SRI}} [[2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup|2026]] || colspan="9"|''Qualified''
|-
| '''Total'''|| '''Super 12''' || '''9th''' ||'''20'''||'''8'''||'''11'''||'''1'''||'''0'''
|}
===T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width=900px;"
|-
!colspan=9|[[Men's T20 World Cup qualification|T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final]] record
|-
! width=150 |Year
! width=150 |Round
! width=50 |Position
! width=50 |GP
! width=50 |W
! width=50 |L
! width=50 |T
! width=50 |NR
|-
|{{flagicon|Uganda}} [[2018–19 ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2019]]||rowspan=2 colspan=8|Did not participate 
|-
|{{flagicon|Rwanda}} [[2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2021]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Namibia}} [[2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2022]]||Round-robin||3/7||6||4||2||0||0
|-bgcolor=gold
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} [[2025 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final|2025]]||'''Winners (Q)''' ||1/8||5||5||0||0||0
|-
|'''Total'''||'''2/4'''||'''1 Title '''||'''11'''||'''9'''||'''2'''||'''0'''||'''0'''
|}
* '''Q''' – Qualified for T20 World Cup.

===ICC Men's Cricket World Cup qualifier===
Known as the ICC Trophy from 1979 to 2005.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width=900px;"
|-
!colspan=9|[[ICC World Cup qualifier]] record
|-
!width=150|Year
!width=150|Round
!width=75|Position
!width=75|Matches
!width=50|Won
!width=50|Lost
!width=50|Tied
!width=50|NR
!width=50|Win %
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[1979 ICC Trophy|1979]] ||colspan="8"| Not eligible (not an ICC member)
|- style="background:gold;"
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[1982 ICC Trophy|1982]] || '''Champion''' || 1/16 || 7 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 100.00%
|- style="background:gold;"
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[1986 ICC Trophy|1986]] || '''Champion''' || 1/16 || 6 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00%
|- style="background:gold;"
| {{flagicon|NED}} [[1990 ICC Trophy|1990]] || '''Champion''' || 1/17 || 7 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00%
|-
| {{flagicon|KEN}} [[1994 ICC Trophy|1994]] ||rowspan="6" colspan="8"| Not eligible (ICC full member)
|-
| {{flagicon|MAS}} [[1997 ICC Trophy|1997]]
|-
| {{flagicon|CAN}} [[2001 ICC Trophy|2001]]
|-
| {{flagicon|IRE|cricket}} [[2005 ICC Trophy|2005]]
|-
| {{flagicon|RSA}} [[2009 Cricket World Cup Qualifier|2009]]
|-
| {{flagicon|NZL}} [[2014 Cricket World Cup Qualifier|2014]]
|-bgcolor="#B08D57"
|style="border: 3px solid red"| {{flagicon|ZIM}} [[2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier|2018]] || 3rd || 3/10 ||9 ||5||2||1||1|| 68.75%
|-bgcolor="#B08D57"
|style="border: 3px solid red"| {{flagicon|ZIM}} [[2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier|2023]] || 3rd || 3/10 ||9 ||7||2||0||0|| 77.78% 
|-
| '''Total'''|| '''Champion (3 times)''' || '''{{small|1st (3 times)}}''' || '''38'''|| '''30'''|| '''4'''|| '''1'''|| '''3'''||'''87.14%'''
|}

===ICC Men's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width=900px;"
|-
!colspan=9|[[2018–19 ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|ICC T20 World Cup Global Qualifier]] record
|-
! width=150 |Year
! width=150 |Round
! width=50 |Position
! width=50 |GP
! width=50 |W
! width=50 |L
! width=50 |T
! width=50 |NR
|-
|{{flagicon|Botswana}} [[2018–19 ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2019]]||colspan=8|Suspended by ICC
|-bgcolor=gold
||{{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} [[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier B|2022]]||Champions||1/8||5||5||0||0||0
|-
|'''Total'''||'''1/2'''||– ||'''5'''||'''5'''||'''0'''||'''0'''||'''0'''
|}

===T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width=900px;"
|-
!colspan=9|[[2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier B|T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier]] record
|-
! width=150 |Year
! width=150 |Round
! width=50 |Position
! width=50 |GP
! width=50 |W
! width=50 |L
! width=50 |T
! width=50 |NR
|-
|{{flagicon|Rwanda}} [[2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2021]]||rowspan=2 colspan=8|Did not participate 
|-
|{{flagicon|Rwanda}} [[2022-23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2022–23]]
|-bgcolor=gold
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} [[2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier B|2024]]||Round-robin||1/6||5||5||0||0||0
|-
|'''Total'''||'''1/3'''||– ||'''5'''||'''5'''||'''0'''||'''0'''||'''0'''
|}

===Twenty20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Regional Final===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width=900px;"
|-
!colspan=9|[[2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|Twenty20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Regional Final]] record
|-
! width=150 |Year
! width=150 |Round
! width=50 |Position
! width=50 |GP
! width=50 |W
! width=50 |L
! width=50 |T
! width=50 |NR
|-
|{{flagicon|Uganda}} [[2018–19 ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2019]]||rowspan=2 colspan=8|Did not participate 
|-
|{{flagicon|Rwanda}} [[2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2021]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Namibia}} [[2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier|2022]]||Round-robin||3/7||6||4||2||0||0
|-bgcolor=gold
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} [[2025 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final|2025]]||Round-robin||1/8||5||5||0||0||0
|-
|'''Total'''||'''2/4'''||'''1 Title '''||'''11'''||'''9'''||'''2'''||'''0'''||'''0'''
|}

===ICC Men's Champions Trophy===
''Known as the "ICC KnockOut Trophy" in 1998 and 2000''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width=900px;"
|-
!colspan="9"|[[ICC Champions Trophy]] record
|-
!width=150|Year
!width=150|Round
!width=50|Position
!width=50|GP
!width=50|W
!width=50|L
!width=50|T
!width=50|NR
|-
| {{flagicon|BAN}} [[1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy|1998]] || Pre-quarter-final || 9/9 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="F2F2F2"
| {{flagicon|KEN}} [[2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy|2000]] || Quarter-finals || 8/11 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|SRI}} [[2002 ICC Champions Trophy|2002]] || Pool stage ||rowspan=2| 9/12 ||rowspan=2| 2 ||rowspan=2| 0 ||rowspan=2| 2 ||rowspan=2| 0 ||rowspan=2| 0
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[2004 ICC Champions Trophy|2004]] || Group stage
|-
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[2006 ICC Champions Trophy|2006]] || Qualifying round || 10/10 || 3 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{flagicon|RSA}} [[2009 ICC Champions Trophy|2009]] ||rowspan="3" colspan="7"| Did not qualify (outside top 8 in ODI rankings)
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} [[2013 ICC Champions Trophy|2013]]
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} [[2017 ICC Champions Trophy|2017]]
|-
| {{flagicon|PAK}} {{flagicon|UAE}} [[2025 ICC Champions Trophy|2025]]||colspan=7|Did not qualify
|-
|{{flagicon|India}} [[2029 ICC Champions Trophy|2029]]||colspan="8"|''TBD''
|-
! Total || Quarter-finals|| {{small|8th}} || 9 || 0 || 9 || 0 || 0
|}

===Men's Commonwealth Games===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width=900px"
|-
!colspan=10|[[Commonwealth Games]] record
|-
!width=150|Year
!width=150|Round
!width=50|Position
!width=50|GP
!width=50|W
!width=50|L
!width=50|T
!width=50|NR
!width=50|Win %
|-
| {{flagicon|MAS}} [[Cricket at the 1998 Commonwealth Games|1998]] || Group stage || 5/16 || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 66.67%
|-
| '''Total''' || || || '''3''' || '''2''' || '''1''' || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''66.67%'''
|}

===African Games===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width=900px"
|-
!colspan=10|[[African Games]] record
|-
!width=150|Year
!width=150|Round
!width=50|Position
!width=50|GP
!width=50|W
!width=50|L
!width=50|T
!width=50|NR
!width=50|Win %
|- style="background:gold;"
| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Cricket at the 2023 African Games|2023]] || '''Champion''' || 1/8 || 5 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00%
|-
| '''Total''' || '''Champion (1 time)''' || '''1st (1 time)''' || '''5''' || '''5''' || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''100.00%'''
|}

==Honours==
===Other===
*'''[[Cricket at the African Games|African Games]]'''
** '''Gold medal (1):''' [[Cricket at the 2023 African Games|2023]]

==Records==
'''International match summary'''<ref name="Test">{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=1;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Test matches / Result summary |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref><ref name="ODI">{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=2;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / One-Day Internationals / Result summary |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref><ref name="T20I">{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=3;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Twenty20 Internationals / Result summary |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:500px"
|-
!colspan="7"| Playing record
|-
! Format !! M !! W !! L !! T !! D/NR !! First match 
|-
|align="left"| Test Matches || 129 || 15 || 84 || 0 || 30 || 18 October 1992
|-
|align="left"| One-Day Internationals || 583 || 154 || 405 || 8 || 16 || 9 June 1983
|-
|align="left"| Twenty20 Internationals || 183 || 64 || 114 || 2 || 3 || 28 November 2006
|}
''Last updated: 18 November 2025''

===Test matches===
* Highest team total: 586 v. [[Afghanistan national cricket team|Afghanistan]], 26–30 December 2024 at [[Queens Sports Club|Bulawayo]]
* Highest individual score: 266, [[David Houghton (cricketer)|Dave Houghton]] v. [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]], 20–24 October 1994 at [[Queens Sports Club|Bulawayo]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=1;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Test matches / High scores |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
* Most individual runs in a match: 341, [[Andy Flower]] (142 and 199 not out) v. [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]], 7–11 September 2001 at [[Harare Sports Club|Harare]]
* Best individual bowling figures in an innings: 8/109, [[Paul Strang]] v. [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]], 12–16 September 2000 at [[Queens Sports Club|Bulawayo]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=1;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Test matches / Best bowling figures in an innings |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
* Best individual bowling figures in a match: 11/255, [[Adam Huckle]] (6/109 and 5/146) v. [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]], 25–29 September 1997 at [[Queens Sports Club|Bulawayo]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_match.html?class=1;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Test matches / Best bowling figures in a match |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}

'''Most Test runs'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=1;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Test matches / Most runs |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Runs !! Average !! Career span
|-
| [[Andy Flower]] || 4,794 || 51.54 || 1992–2002
|-
| [[Grant Flower]] || 3,457 || 29.54 || 1992–2004
|-
| [[Alistair Campbell (cricketer)|Alistair Campbell]] || 2,858 || 27.21 || 1992–2002
|-
| '''[[Brendan Taylor]]''' || 2,403 || 35.86 || 2004–2025
|-
| [[Hamilton Masakadza]] || 2,223 || 30.04 || 2001–2018
|-
| [[Guy Whittall]] || 2,207 || 29.42 || 1993–2002
|-
| [[Heath Streak]] || 1,990 || 22.35 || 1993–2005
|-
| '''[[Sean Williams (cricketer)|Sean Williams]]''' || 1,946 || 45.25 || 2013–2025
|-
| '''[[Craig Ervine]]''' || 1,931 || 33.29 || 2011–2025
|-
| [[Stuart Carlisle]] || 1,615 || 26.91 || 1995–2005
|}
{{col-break}}

'''Most Test wickets'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=1;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Test matches / Most wickets |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Wickets !! Average !! Career span
|-
| [[Heath Streak]] || 216 || 28.14 || 1993–2005
|-
| [[Ray Price (cricketer)|Ray Price]] || 80 || 36.06 || 1999–2013
|-
| [[Paul Strang]] || 70 || 36.02 || 1994–2001
|-
| [[Henry Olonga]] || 68 || 38.52 || 1995–2002
|-
| '''[[Blessing Muzarabani]]''' || 67 || 26.20 || 2017–2025
|-
| [[Graeme Cremer]] || 57 || 45.68 || 2005–2017
|-
| [[Bryan Strang]] || 56 || 39.33 || 1995–2001
|-
| [[Andy Blignaut]] || 53 || 37.05 || 2001–2005
|-
| [[Guy Whittall]] || 51 || 40.94 || 1993–2002
|-
| [[Kyle Jarvis]] || 46 || 29.43 || 2011–2020
|}
{{col-end}}

====Test record versus other nations====
{{Zimbabwe Test cricket records by opponent}} <ref name="Test"/>

===One-Day Internationals===
* Highest team total: 408/6 v. [[United States national cricket team|United States]], 26 June 2023 at [[Harare Sports Club|Harare]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=2;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / One-Day Internationals / Highest totals |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=26 June 2023}}</ref>
* Highest individual score: 194[[not out|*]], [[Charles Coventry (cricketer, born 1983)|Charles Coventry]] v. [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]], 16 August 2009 at [[Queens Sports Club|Bulawayo]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=2;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / One-Day Internationals / High scores |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
* Best individual bowling figures: 6/19, [[Henry Olonga]] v. [[England cricket team|England]], 28 January 2000 at [[Newlands Cricket Ground|Cape Town]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=2;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / One-Day Internationals / Best bowling figures in an innings |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}

'''Most ODI runs'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=2;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / One-Day Internationals / Most runs |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Runs !! Average !! Career span
|-
| [[Andy Flower]] || 6,786 || 35.34 || 1992–2003
|-
| '''[[Brendan Taylor]]''' || 6,704 || 35.28 || 2004–2025
|-
| [[Grant Flower]] || 6,571 || 33.52 || 1992–2010
|-
| [[Hamilton Masakadza]] || 5,658 || 27.73 || 2001–2019
|-
| '''[[Sean Williams (cricketer)|Sean Williams]]''' || 5,217 || 37.53 || 2005–2025
|-
| [[Alistair Campbell (cricketer)|Alistair Campbell]] || 5,185 || 30.50 || 1992–2003                                                                                      
|-
| '''[[Sikandar Raza]]''' || 4,476 || 36.99 || 2013–2025
|-
| [[Elton Chigumbura]] || 4,289 || 25.23 || 2004–2018
|-
| '''[[Craig Ervine]]''' || 3,600 || 33.02 || 2010–2025
|-
| [[Tatenda Taibu]] || 3,383 || 29.41 || 2001–2012
|}
{{col-break}}

'''Most ODI wickets'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=2;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / One-Day Internationals / Most wickets |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 August 2014}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Wickets !! Average !! Career span
|-
| [[Heath Streak]] || 237 || 29.81 || 1993–2005
|-
| [[Prosper Utseya]] || 133 || 46.90 || 2004–2015
|-
| [[Graeme Cremer]] || 119 || 30.22 || 2009–2018
|-
| '''[[Tendai Chatara]]''' || 115 || 32.61 || 2013–2023
|-
| [[Grant Flower]] || 104 || 40.62 || 1992–2010
|-
| [[Ray Price (cricketer)|Ray Price]] || 100 || 35.75 || 2002–2012
|-
| [[Paul Strang]] || 96 || 33.05 || 1994–2001
|-
| [[Elton Chigumbura]] || 95 || 42.70 || 2004–2018
|-
| [[Christopher Mpofu]] || 93 || 38.50 || 2004–2020
|-
| [[Sikandar Raza]] || 93 || 43.10 || 2013–2025
|}
{{col-end}}

====ODI record versus other nations====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
!scope="col" |Opponent
!scope="col" |[[One Day International|Matches]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Won]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Lost]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Tie|Tied]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#No result|No Result]]
!scope="col" |[[Winning percentage|% Won]]
!scope="col" |First
!scope="col" |Last
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="9" | '''[[List of International Cricket Council members#Full members|Full Members]]'''
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|AFG}}
| 31 || 10 || 20 || 0 || 1 || 33.33 || 2014 || 2024
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|AUS}}
| 33 || 3 || 29 || 0 || 1 || 9.37 || 1983 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|BAN}}
| 81 || 30 || 51 || 0 || 0 || 37.03 || 1997 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|ENG}}
| 30 || 8 || 21 || 0 || 1 || 27.58 || 1992 || 2004
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|IND}}
| 66 || 10 || 54 || 2 || 0 || 16.66 || 1983 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|IRE}}
| 25 || 10 || 11 || 1 || 3 || 47.72 || 2007 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|NZ}}
| 38 || 9 || 27 || 1 || 1 || 25.67 || 1987 || 2015
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|PAK}}
| 65 || 5 || 56 || 2 || 2 || 9.52 || 1992 || 2024
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|RSA}}
| 41 || 2 || 38 || 0 || 1 || 5.00 || 1992 || 2018
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|SRI}}
| 66 || 12 || 51 || 0 || 3 || 19.04 || 1992 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|WIN}}
| 49 || 11 || 36 || 1 || 1 || 23.95 || 1983 || 2023
|-
| colspan="10" style="text-align: center;" | '''[[List of International Cricket Council members#Associate members|Associate Members]]'''
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|BER}}
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2006 || 2006
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|CAN}}
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2006 || 2011
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|HKG}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2018 || 2018
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|KEN}}
| 32 || 25 || 5 || 0 || 2 || 83.33 || 1996 || 2011
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|NAM}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2018 || 2018
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|NEP}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2023 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|NED}}
| 7 || 4 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 50.00 || 2003 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|OMA}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2023 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|SCO}}
| 4 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 37.5 || 2017 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|UAE}}
| 6 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 83.33 || 2015 || 2019
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|USA}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2023 || 2023
|-
|- class="sortbottom"
!scope="row" style="text-align:center" |Total
|'''582'''||'''153'''||'''405'''||'''8'''||'''16'''||'''27.73'''||'''1982'''||'''2025'''
|-
|colspan=10|{{small|''Statistics are correct as of {{cr|ZIM}} v {{cr|SL}} at [[Harare Sports Club]], [[Harare]], 31 August 2025.''}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Records / Zimbabwe / ODI matches / Result summary |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=2;id=9;type=team |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=31 August 2025}}</ref>
|}<ref name="ODI"/>

===Twenty20 Internationals===
* Highest team total: 344/4 v. [[Gambia national cricket team|Gambia]], 23 October 2024 at [[Ruaraka Sports Club Ground]], [[Nairobi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=3;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Twenty20 Internationals / Highest totals |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
* Highest individual score: 133[[not out|*]], [[Sikandar Raza]] v. [[Gambia national cricket team|Gambia]], 23 October 2024 at [[Ruaraka Sports Club Ground]], [[Nairobi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=3;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Twenty20 Internationals / High scores |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
* Best individual bowling figures: 5/18, [[Sikandar Raza]] v. [[Rwanda national cricket team|Rwanda]], 22 October 2024 at [[Ruaraka Sports Club Ground]], [[Nairobi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=3;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Twenty20 Internationals / Best bowling figures in an innings |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}

'''Most T20I runs'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=3;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Twenty20 Internationals / Most runs |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Runs !! Average !! Career span
|-
| '''[[Sikandar Raza]]''' || 2,742 || 25.15 || 2013–2025
|-
| '''[[Sean Williams (cricketer)|Sean Williams]]''' || 1,805 || 23.75 || 2011–2025
|-
| '''[[Ryan Burl]]''' || 1,755 || 25.07 || 2018–2025
|-
| [[Hamilton Masakadza]] || 1,662 || 26.00 || 2006–2019
|-
| '''[[Brian Bennett (cricketer)|Brian Bennett]]''' || 1,455 || 31.63 || 2023–2025
|}
{{col-break}}

'''Most T20I wickets'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=3;id=9;type=team |title=Records / Zimbabwe / Twenty20 Internationals / Most wickets |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Player !! Wickets !! Average !! Career span
|-
| '''[[Richard Ngarava]]''' || 104 || 21.01 || 2019–2025
|-
| '''[[Sikandar Raza]]''' || 99 || 22.53 || 2013–2025
|-
| '''[[Blessing Muzarabani]]''' || 93 || 22.31 || 2018–2025
|-
| '''[[Luke Jongwe]]''' || 66 || 22.25 || 2015–2024
|-
| '''[[Tendai Chatara]]''' || 65 || 23.95 || 2010–2024
|}
{{col-end}}

====T20I record versus other nations====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
!scope="col" |Opponent
!scope="col" |[[Twenty20 international|Matches]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Won]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Lost]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Tie|Tied]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#No result|No result]]
!scope="col" |[[Winning percentage|% Won]]
!scope="col" |First
!scope="col" |Last
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="9" | '''[[List of International Cricket Council members#Full members|Full Members]]'''
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Afghanistan}}
|21 || 2 || 19 || 0 || 0 || 9.52 || 2015 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Australia}}
|3 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 33.33 || 2007 || 2018
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Bangladesh}}
|25 || 8 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 32.00 || 2006 || 2024
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|England}}
|1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.00 || 2007 || 2007
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|India}}
|13 || 3 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 23.07 || 2010 || 2024
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Ireland}}
|18 || 8 || 8 || 0 || 2 || 50.00 || 2014 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|New Zealand}}
|8 || 0 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0.00 || 2010 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Pakistan}}
|22 || 3 || 19 || 0 || 0 || 13.63 || 2008 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|South Africa}}
|8 || 0 || 7 || 0 || 1 || 0.00 || 2010 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Sri Lanka}}
|9 || 2 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 22.22 || 2008 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|West Indies}}
|4 || 1 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 25.00 || 2010 || 2022
|-
| colspan="10" style="text-align: center;" | '''[[List of International Cricket Council members#Associate members|Associate Members]]'''
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Botswana}}
|1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2025 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Canada}}
| 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 75.00 || 2008 || 2008
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Gambia}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2024 || 2024
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|HK}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2016 || 2016
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Jersey}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2022 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Kenya}}
| 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2023 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Mozambique}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2024 || 2024
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Namibia}}
| 15 || 7 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 46.66 || 2022 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Nepal}}
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2019 || 2019
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Netherlands}}
| 5 || 2 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 50.00 || 2014 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Nigeria}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2023 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|PNG}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2022 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Rwanda}}
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2023 || 2024
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Scotland}}
| 5 || 4 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 80.00 || 2016 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Seychelles}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2024 || 2024
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Singapore}}
| 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 66.66 || 2019 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Tanzania}}
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2023 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Uganda}}
| 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2023 || 2025
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|UAE}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2014 || 2014
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|USA}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2022 || 2022
|-
|- class="sortbottom"
!scope="row" style="text-align:center" |Total
|'''183'''||'''64'''||'''114'''||'''2'''||'''3'''||'''36.11'''||'''2006'''||'''2025'''
|-
|colspan=10|{{small|''Statistics are correct as of {{cr|ZIM}} v {{cr|PAK}} at [[Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium]], [[Rawalpindi]]; 18 November 2025.''}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Records / Zimbabwe / T20I matches / Result summary |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=3;id=9;type=team |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>
|}<ref name="T20I"/>

==See also==
* [[Cricket in Zimbabwe]]
* [[Sport in Zimbabwe]] – Overview of sports in Zimbabwe
* [[List of Zimbabwe Test cricketers]]
* [[List of Zimbabwe ODI cricketers]]
* [[List of Zimbabwe Twenty20 international cricketers]]
* [[Zimbabwean women's cricket team]]{{Portal bar||Cricket|1980s}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{s-start}}
{{Succession box
 | title  = [[Test cricket|Test match playing teams]]
 | years  = 18 October 1992
 | before = [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]]
 | after  = [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]]
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Zimbabwe national cricket team}}
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