New Delhi, Sep 17: Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani has been appointed as the new Deputy Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC), becoming the first Zimbabwean to hold the position.
Mukuhlani will serve as Deputy Chair until November 2027 and succeeds Imran Khwaja, who has left the ICC Board. The appointment places a senior Zimbabwean administrator in one of the key leadership positions of world cricket at a time when the sport is expanding into new markets and preparing for several major global events.
Mukuhlani currently represents Zimbabwe on the ICC Board and serves on the Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee and the Nominations Committee. He also chairs the ICC’s HR and Remuneration Committee, giving him experience across both the administrative and commercial sides of the organisation.
His appointment comes at an important moment for African cricket. Zimbabwe will co-host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 with South Africa and Namibia. The tournament will return to Africa after 24 years, making the region’s role in international cricket particularly significant over the coming years.
For Zimbabwe, Mukuhlani’s elevation also represents a notable step in the country’s participation in global cricket administration. His new position is expected to provide an additional platform for African cricket’s perspectives to be represented in discussions involving the development and expansion of the sport.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah welcomed Mukuhlani’s appointment and highlighted his experience in cricket administration and understanding of the global game. Shah also pointed to cricket’s expanding international reach and its return to the Olympic Games as areas where strong administration will be important.
Mukuhlani said he was honoured by the confidence placed in him by the ICC Board and expressed his intention to work with the chairman and other directors on growing the sport, creating opportunities for members and reaching new audiences and markets.
The appointment also comes as the ICC looks to broaden cricket’s global footprint. The sport’s return to the Olympic programme is expected to bring cricket to audiences beyond its traditional markets, while the continued expansion of international competitions is creating new opportunities for players, broadcasters, sponsors and cricket administrations.
From a business perspective, the growth of cricket can generate opportunities across broadcasting, sponsorship, digital platforms, sports technology, merchandising and tourism. Major international tournaments also create demand for hospitality, travel and event-related services in host markets.
For African cricket, the upcoming 2027 World Cup provides a major opportunity to strengthen the sport’s commercial and grassroots ecosystem. Hosting matches across Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia can bring greater international attention to local players, facilities, academies and cricket-related businesses.
Mukuhlani’s role will therefore extend beyond an administrative title. His experience in Zimbabwe and his involvement in ICC committees place him in a position to contribute to discussions around governance, development, commercial growth and the broader international expansion of the game.
With cricket entering a period of change through Olympic participation, new audiences and expanding commercial markets, Mukuhlani’s appointment adds another African voice to the ICC’s senior leadership and comes at a significant time for the sport’s future.