Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE have qualified for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup after a seven-wicket win over Kenya at Harare Sports Club in the semi-final of the Africa Qualifier.
Harare Sports Club erupted into song this Thursday afternoon as Zimbabwe sealed their place at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Kenya.
For a nation still nursing the heartbreak of missing the last edition after falling in the qualifiers, this triumph carried more than just the weight of victory, it was redemption, relief, and renewal all rolled into one.
Young opener Brian Bennett, who has been the heartbeat of Zimbabwe’s batting in this tournament, once again rose to the occasion.
His fluent half-century set the tempo for the chase and steadied the nerves of the crowd that had filled the iconic ground in anticipation of history being rewritten.
Chasing Kenya’s modest total of 122, Zimbabwe showed maturity and hunger, refusing to let the ghosts of 2022 haunt them and reaching the target with five overs to spare and wickets in hand.
As the winning runs were struck, the players leapt into each other’s arms, while fans poured out in song, draped in the red, gold, green and black of the national flag.
The victory looks like vindication after years of near misses.
For the younger generation, it was a statement that Zimbabwe belongs on the world stage.
Zimbabwe play Namibia in the final on Saturday only for placement purposes, as both teams will be in India and Sri Lanka next year for the T20 World Cup.
