Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE construction of the Victoria Falls Multipurpose Cricket Ground is progressing steadily, with Zimbabwe Cricket confident the facility will be completed by March next year.
The facility will host matches, and its first major tournament will be the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which the country is co-hosting with Namibia.
The multipurpose ground is also scheduled to host the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia.
A visit to the ground this Wednesday revealed significant progress of the civil works, with the playing surface now nearing completion.
Water infrastructure has been installed, including bulk water supply from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), ensuring the turf can be properly maintained.
Zimbabwe Cricket Chairperson, Honourable Tavengwa Mukuhlani, confirmed that the overall development is past halfway and several key components are already taking shape.
“The two media centres are at an advanced stage, about 55 to 60 percent done. We have poured concrete for two of the three grandstands, and the grass embankments are already in place. Water connections are complete. The transformer is on-site, and we are now finalising the substations to link to the main grid.”
Key structures such as the Playhouse Pavilion and the VIP Pavilion have also taken off, while trenching is complete for the remaining grandstand, office blocks, and the doping control centre.
“By December, we expect all outbuildings to be up, and by January, we will begin furnishing,” Honourable Mukuhlani noted.
As the countdown to completion continues, the facility is set to become not only a premier sporting venue but also a landmark for Zimbabwe’s tourism and economic development.
