4 talking points from World Cup qualifiers

#4 World Cup qualifiers breathe new life into Zimbabwean cricket

Fans gathered in numbers to watch their team play

After a brief period at the pinnacle of world cricket, Zimbabwe descended into turmoil in the aftermath of the 2003 World Cup which they hosted jointly with South Africa. Increasing politicisation of the sport coupled with a mass exodus of players ultimately culminated in Zimbabwe losing their test status in 2005, which marked an all-time nadir for cricket in the country and then some.

So given the pandemonium ensuing in the country in the last decade and a half, the return of ICC to Zimbabwean soil was a welcome sight for the locals who showed up in throngs for every game, especially ones involving Zimbabwe and lit up the atmosphere with indefatigable energy. This encouraging response may not have translated into a success on the pitch as the team ultimately failed to qualify for the finals, but it went a long way in suggesting how cricket is still a rage despite red mists hovering over it for such a long time.

Maybe, the World Cup qualifications breathe new life into the Zimbabwean team too.