Zimbabwe confirm captaincy changes for national teams

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced its captaincy structure for the senior men's and women's national teams, with Richard Ngarava taking charge of the Test and ODI sides, and Josephine Nkomo confirmed as captain of the Zimbabwe women's team. Sikandar Raza will continue to lead the side in the shortest format.

The appointments were recommended by the ZC Board's Cricket Committee and endorsed by the Board at its meeting in Harare on 23 June 2026.

Ngarava, who led the side for the first time in the recent one-off Test against Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club, takes on the red and white-ball leadership across the two longer formats. Raza, one of Zimbabwe's most experienced all-rounders, continues as T20I captain, having already established himself as a senior leader within the set-up.

Brian Bennett was named Test vice-captain, Raza will serve as ODI vice-captain, and Ngarava takes on the T20I vice-captaincy.

In the women's game, Nkomo who is an experienced all-rounder, was confirmed as captain, with left-arm seamer Nomvelo Sibanda appointed her deputy.

The reshuffle comes at a significant juncture for Zimbabwe cricket, with the men's side looking to build on recent international progress and the women's team having begun its first-ever ICC Women's Championship campaign earlier this year.

ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said the Board had weighed leadership qualities, experience and character carefully before finalising the appointments.

"Captaincy is about far more than leading a team onto the field. It demands integrity, resilience, sound judgement and the ability to inspire those around you," he said.

"The Board has every confidence that Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza and Josephine Nkomo possess those qualities and will lead their respective teams with distinction.

"We are equally confident that Brian Bennett, Nomvelo Sibanda and the vice-captains across our national teams will provide invaluable support while continuing to grow into leadership roles of their own."

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