Courtney Walsh has slipped quietly into Harare and, just like that, Zimbabwe have a Hall-of-Famer in charge of their bowling plans for June’s T20 World Cup.
The basics first. Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed the West Indian great as bowling consultant earlier this week and said he has already started work with Sikandar Raza’s squad. The contract, for now, runs through the World Cup.
“I think we have a very good chance once we execute well and work together as a team and adapt to the conditions,” Walsh said. “The combination of the attack has impressed me from watching and the potential that’s within the team.”
It is hard to argue. Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava bring height and left-arm angles, while rookie Tinotenda Maposa offers raw pace. All-rounders Brad Evans and Tashinga Musekiwa give Raza extra seam options. Spin, traditionally Zimbabwe’s safety net, looks solid too: Wellington Masakadza, the recalled Graeme Cremer and Raza himself form an experienced trio.
Givemore Makoni, the board’s managing director, spelled out why Walsh was the preferred choice. “As we prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it was important for us to bring in someone who understands what it takes to succeed on the global stage,” he said. “Courtney’s knowledge, professionalism and ability to mentor players will be invaluable as we sharpen our bowling resources for the challenges ahead.”
Walsh has been down this road before. He spent three years with Bangladesh’s men as specialist bowling coach and, more recently, oversaw West Indies women. Last season he even had a short technical stint with Zimbabwe’s women, so the set-up is not entirely new.
The fixture list is straightforward: Zimbabwe sit in Group B alongside Australia, Ireland, Oman and co-hosts Sri Lanka. All four group games are in Sri Lanka—two in Colombo, one in Pallekele—conditions Walsh knows well from his playing and coaching days.
Qualification alone is progress after the disappointment of missing the 2024 edition; making the Super 8s would be a genuine step forward. Walsh won’t over-promise, but the mood around the camp, by all accounts, is quietly upbeat.
