Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Calls for Equal Opportunities in International Cricket
“This…has no place in sport” – Tavengwa Mukhulani demands fair scheduling for all Full Members
In a passionate plea for equality in international cricket, Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukhulani has called for all 12 Full Members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to be given equal opportunities to compete against each other across all formats of the game.
“Every one of the 12 Full Members must be given an opportunity to play against each other in all the three formats,”
Mukhulani stated emphatically during a recent press conference.
The comments come as Zimbabwe prepares to face England next week for the first time in any format since 2007. This lengthy gap between fixtures highlights the growing disparity in international cricket scheduling that Mukhulani is campaigning against.
The Forgotten Fixtures
Zimbabwe’s Missing Tests Against Top Nations:
Haven’t played a Test against Australia since 2003
Haven’t played a Test against India since 2005
Haven’t played a Test against South Africa since 2017
Mukhulani drew parallels with international football, where top-ranked nations regularly compete against lower-ranked opponents as part of the global development of the sport.
“If you look at football, which has grown phenomenally globally, Brazil plays Honduras, England plays Malta. This story that there are those who are playing on one side of the aisle and those playing on [the other] has no place in sport,”
Mukhulani argued, highlighting the need for more inclusive scheduling.
The Commercial Reality vs Sporting Equality
While cricket’s governing bodies often cite commercial considerations for scheduling decisions, Mukhulani’s comments reflect growing frustration among smaller Test-playing nations who feel marginalized by the current system.
The upcoming England-Zimbabwe series, though not a Test match, represents a small step toward more balanced scheduling. However, with Zimbabwe having lost their Test status between 2005 and 2011, and continuing to struggle for regular fixtures against top nations, Mukhulani’s call for reform appears timely.
The Full Member Conundrum
The ICC currently recognizes 12 Full Members who have Test status: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan.
However, the frequency of matches between these nations varies dramatically, with commercial considerations often outweighing sporting equality.
A Path Forward
Mukhulani’s comments have reignited debate about how cricket can better serve all its member nations. Potential solutions being discussed include:
- Mandating minimum numbers of matches between all Full Members within specified time periods
- Creating a more structured international calendar similar to football’s FIFA windows
- Implementing revenue-sharing models that reduce the financial risk of hosting smaller nations
- Developing promotion/relegation systems between Test-playing nations and Associate members
As Zimbabwe prepares for their historic encounter with England, Mukhulani’s words serve as a reminder that cricket’s growth as a global sport depends on more than just commercial success—it requires genuine commitment to giving all nations equal opportunities to compete at the highest level.