• Source:REUTERS
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Zimbabwe's head coach, David Houghton, has resigned from his position, effective immediately, citing a breakdown in his relationship with players following the team's failure to qualify for the 2024 Twenty20 World Cup. Zimbabwe lost crucial matches to Namibia and Uganda, leading to their exclusion from the tournament.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) announced Houghton's resignation on Wednesday, acknowledging his departure but stating that he would continue within the organization in an unspecified role.

In his resignation letter to the ZC board, Houghton expressed that he had "lost the changeroom" during his 18 months in charge and believed that a "new voice" was necessary to guide the team forward. Houghton is considered one of Zimbabwe's most accomplished former players.

"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 (Houghton) has done over the past year to rebuild the foundations for long-term success," ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said in a statement.

"Dave leaves the team 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."

An interim technical team will be named shortly for Zimbabwe's tour to Sri Lanka in January for a white-ball series.

The ZC board 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.

 

Inputs from Reuters