Hamilton Masakadza handed new role as Zimbabwe introduce director of cricket position

The former captain is the first person to hold the newly formed job, with the 36-year-old having retired only retired from the international game in September

Hamilton Masakadza has been appointed as Zimbabwe Cricket’s director of cricket.

The former captain is the first person to hold the newly formed role, with the 36-year-old having retired only retired from the international game in September.

The new off-field position comes following the lifting of an ICC suspension on the country’s cricket board, which saw Zimbabwe miss out on the Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, where their place was taken by Nigeria.

The decision to bring in a director of cricket was agreed upon by the Zimbabwe Cricket board at a meeting in August as part of its commitment to restructuring.

Masakadza, who will take up the job on November 1, will focus on all aspects of the country’s cricketing pathway, including the responsibility of transforming the game both on and away from the field.

As part of his role, he will be in charge of “recruitment, management and interaction of senior cricket technical staff within the cricket affairs department”, while also “defining policy, strategy and programmes of 'best practice' throughout all aspects of the Zimbabwe cricket pathway”.

The former captain – one of three brothers to represent Zimbabwe – played 38 Tests, 209 ODIs and 66 T20Is for his country and will play a part in choosing his successor as captain of the national side.

Zimbabwe Cricket chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani said: “This is a key appointment that clearly indicates our desire to strengthen our cricket across all levels while also improving the game administratively.

"We are therefore excited about Hamilton taking up the role, which will see him bringing a fresh perspective to the administration of cricket and helping us to shape the future of our game.

“I have no doubt that his incredible passion for Zimbabwe cricket, massive knowledge of our game and the wealth of experience that he gained from playing at the highest level will help transform ZC and see him becoming a respected leader in the sport.”

Masakadza, who remains the fourth-youngest Test centurion of all time, ended his international career on a high, making 71 from just 42 deliveries in a win against Afghanistan, before leaving the field to a guard of honour.