Staff Reporter.
Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton has confirmed his resignation with immediate effect, citing a breakdown in his relationship with players following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2024 Twenty20 World Cup.
The Chevrons were the top-ranked side in the African qualification tournament last month, but missed out on the top two as Namibia and Uganda booked their spots in the United States and the West Indies instead.
In a resignation letter to the ZC board, Houghton said he had “lost the changeroom” after 18 months in charge and felt that a “new voice” was needed to take the team forward.
The 66-year-old’s final matches in charge came in an ODI series at home against Ireland which the tourists won 2-0.
However, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said Houghton, his country’s first Test captain, would be reassigned to a new role in the organisation.
“Dave will always be a legend of our game,” ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said.
“While the past few months have been disappointing as we failed to qualify for both the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup, they should not obscure all the work he has done over the past year to rebuild the foundations for long-term success.
“Dave leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts and we are looking forward to working with him in a different role as we seek to change our on-field fortunes.”
Houghton lead Zimbabwe to last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, their first global tournament for six years, where the side reached the Super 12 stage after first-round victories over Ireland and Scotland.
ZC will name an interim technical team for the country’s white-ball tour to Sri Lanka next month.
ZC also appointed a three-member committee chaired by Lloyd Mhishi to probe the World Cup qualification failures as well as to review ZC’s cricket affairs structure. The committee is to report back in three week.