Former Bangladesh coach and West Indies legend Courtney Walsh has been appointed as the bowling consultant for Zimbabwe ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirmed in an official statement that Walsh has already begun working closely with the national squad, overseeing their preparation and bowling strategies.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers in cricket history, was the first bowler in Test cricket to take 500 wickets. His coaching career has been equally distinguished, having worked previously with both West Indies and Bangladesh teams. During his tenure with Bangladesh, Walsh guided leading pacers such as Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, particularly through the 2016–2019 ICC World Cup cycle. He later served as the head coach of the West Indies Women’s team and, in 2024, acted as the technical consultant for the Zimbabwe Women’s squad.
Speaking about his new role with Zimbabwe’s men’s team, Walsh stated:
“I believe that if we implement our plans effectively, work together as a cohesive unit, and adapt to conditions, we have very strong potential. I am impressed with the bowling combinations and the talent emerging within the squad.”
Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup bowling line-up includes a mix of pace, seam-bowling all-rounders, and spin options:
| Bowling Type | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Bowler | Blessing Muzarabani | Strike bowler |
| Fast Bowler | Richard Ngarava | Strike bowler |
| Fast Bowler | Tinotenda Maposa | Support pacer |
| Seam-Bowling All-Rounder | Brad Evans | Batting & bowling contribution |
| Seam-Bowling All-Rounder | Tashinga Musekiwa | Batting & bowling contribution |
| Spinner | Wellington Masakadza | Leg-spin specialist |
| Spinner | Graeme Cremer | Off-spin specialist |
| Spinner | Sikandar Raza | Captain & off-spin bowler |
ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni highlighted Walsh’s mentorship capabilities as a key reason for his appointment. “We needed someone who understands what it takes to succeed on the global stage. Courtney’s expertise, professionalism, and ability to advise players are invaluable to sharpening our bowling unit ahead of future challenges,” Makoni said.
Zimbabwe has been drawn into Group B of the tournament, alongside Australia, Ireland, Oman, and co-host Sri Lanka. All four of Zimbabwe’s group-stage matches are scheduled to be held across venues in Sri Lanka. With Walsh now guiding the bowlers, the team hopes to leverage his experience and insight to enhance their performance on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.
