Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani has been named as the new Deputy Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The appointment, confirmed on Thursday, September 17, 2026, makes Mukuhlani the first Zimbabwean to hold the high-ranking executive position in the game’s global governing body.
He succeeds Imran Khwaja, whose tenure ended after he failed to retain his seat on the ICC Board during the Associate Member Directors’ elections in July 2026. Mukuhlani’s term is set to run until November 2027, covering the lead-up to the next major global event in the region.
The vacancy arose after a shift in the mid-year elections where Khwaja, a long-standing representative of Associate nations, finished fourth in the voting. His departure left the Deputy Chair role open, leading the Board to select Mukuhlani to serve alongside ICC Chairman Jay Shah.
Shah, who has led the council since December 1, 2024, welcomed the appointment. “I warmly congratulate Tavengwa Mukuhlani on his appointment as Deputy Chair of the ICC. His experience in cricket administration, understanding of the global game and commitment to its development will be invaluable to the ICC Board,” Shah said.
Responding to the confirmation of his new role, Mukuhlani expressed gratitude for the support of the directorate. “I am deeply honoured by the confidence placed in me by my fellow ICC Board Directors and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Deputy Chair of the ICC,” he stated.
The elevation of Mukuhlani comes as Zimbabwe prepares to co-host the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia. The tournament is scheduled to run from October 4 to November 21, 2027.
Analysis of the appointment suggests a strategic shift toward increasing the influence of the 2027 World Cup host nations within the ICC hierarchy. With Shah and Mukuhlani in the top two positions, the leadership bridge between the game’s commercial centers and the emerging host region is solidified.
Khwaja’s exit after nearly two decades on the board marks the end of an era for Associate Member representation. His departure potentially alters internal voting dynamics regarding funding and representation for non-Full Members as the ICC enters its next commercial cycle.
