By Staff Reporter
Harare, – The British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pete Vowles, visited Harare Sports Club on Thursday to meet with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) officials and the national team ahead of Zimbabwe’s first tour to England since 2003.
The tour, scheduled for May, will see Zimbabwe play a one-off Test match against England at Trent Bridge, marking the resumption of bilateral cricket ties after a 22-year hiatus.
Speaking during the visit, ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani described the upcoming match as a milestone for Zimbabwean cricket and an opportunity to rebuild sporting relations between the two nations.
“Zimbabwe and England share a great history, with cricket being an integral part of our heritage. This match marks the resumption of sporting ties between our two nations, which I believe are healthy and important,” Mukuhlani said.
He credited efforts from ZC and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for making the tour possible.
“The last time Zimbabwe toured England for a cricket series was in 2003, and since then, there has been a hiatus in our bilateral cricket relationship. After a long wait, Zimbabwe cricketers finally return to England to showcase their skills and talent on the international stage,” Mukuhlani added.
British Ambassador Vowles welcomed the renewed cricketing ties, emphasizing the role of sports in strengthening diplomatic relations.
“My job is to strengthen the relationship between Britain and Zimbabwe, and what better way to do that than through sports—especially cricket,” he said.
Vowles, who has spent much of his adult life in Zimbabwe, humorously acknowledged his divided loyalty.
“My main problem is what shirt to wear. Should I have a Zimbabwe shirt on one side and the English on the other, or Zimbabwe on the front and England on the back?” he joked.
The tour follows years of engagement between ZC and the ECB, including pre-season visits by English county teams. ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni and former ECB CEO Tom Harrison played a key role in the negotiations leading to the revival of Zimbabwe’s England tour.
Zimbabwe’s cricket team is expected to use the historic match as a platform to reestablish itself on the global stage. Mukuhlani cited the recent ODI series against Ireland as evidence of the team’s progress, expressing confidence in their ability to compete in England.
The upcoming Test match symbolizes not only the rekindling of cricketing ties but also the broader diplomatic and cultural connections between Zimbabwe and England.
