Former Zimbabwe player and umpire Sarah Dambanevana dies aged 36
Sarah Dambanevana, who played for Zimbabwe between 2009 and 2014 and later became an umpire, has died aged 36.
Former Zimbabwe women's player and umpire Sarah Dambanevana has died at the age of 36. Dambanevana represented Zimbabwe as a player between 2009 and 2014, including at the World Cup Qualifier in 2011. She later transitioned to umpiring and officiated domestic matches in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed her death on Monday and expressed condolences to her family. Dambanevana was among the early generation of women cricketers who helped establish the national women's programme after the country's readmission to international cricket.
Her dual role as player and umpire made her a notable figure in Zimbabwean cricket development. She contributed to both on-field participation and the growth of women's officiating in the country. Dambanevana became the first Zimbabwean to officiate a World Cup final when she stood in the U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2023 final between India and England.
CricHubb Take
Dambanevana's career showed that players can move into officiating without losing influence. Her example matters more in smaller cricket nations where the same people often fill multiple roles across generations.