Shingi Masakadza retires from professional cricket

Zimbabwe pacer Shingi Masakadza has announced his retirement from professional cricket, ending a career that lasted nearly two decades. The 38-year-old left out in style, helping Mountaineers to a compelling 358-run triumph over Eagles at Mutare Sports Club in the Logan Cup. In his final display, he contributed fairly with both bat and ball, scoring 53 off 50 deliveries and taking 1/40 in 20 overs. 

Masakadza represented Zimbabwe in all the three formats, playing five Tests, 16 ODIs, and seven T20Is, . He picked up 16, 25, and four wickets in the formats respectively.

Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I feel it’s time to step away from first-class cricket. As I do so, I’d love to think that I’ve given everything I could.” 

His career started in the 2007-08 season, where he impressed with 14 wickets in four Logan Cup matches. The following season, he claimed 24 wickets, and in 2009-10, he had his best domestic season, taking 40 wickets. One of his precious memories was his ODI debut in Port of Spain against West Indies, where he played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s enthralling two-run triumph, by picking three wickets. He made his Test debut against New Zealand in Napier in 2012.

Regardless of his numerous achievements, Masakadza carries one regret: never getting the opportunity to play an international match alongside both of his brothers, Hamilton and Wellington.

“For all three of us to have been part of the same touring squad stands out as one of the proudest moments in my career, though I would have loved for all three of us to play in the same international game,” he said. 

As he steps away from the game, coaching seems like the natural next step.

“My exit to the game is also something I will remember for a long time. When I broke the news to my Mountaineers teammates, I did ask them to give me a good send-off with a trophy and I am extremely happy to have finished on a high in that regard and to also score a 50 in my last game was remarkable as well. I just hope the boys continue to bring in the trophies,” Masakadza said.

“I will probably go into coaching after this as I have been already involved in coaching. I have been player/coach for Mountaineers for a while now and I do believe I have gained a bit of experience and hopefully take that up going forward,” he added.