Zimbabwe Cricket has appointed former New Zealand international Kate Ebrahim as interim head coach for the Zimbabwe Women’s national team ahead of their landmark tour of New Zealand, where they will make their debut in the ICC Women’s Championship.
Ebrahim will head an interim technical team tasked with guiding Zimbabwe Women through a crucial phase as they enter the elite 50-over competition for the first time in the 2025–2029 cycle.
She will be assisted by Travor Phiri as interim assistant coach, while New Zealand-based Debu Banik joins the squad as bowling consultant. Pamela Moyo has been appointed physiotherapist, and former Zimbabwe Women international Thandolwenkosi Mlilo will serve as team manager.
The interim structure replaces the Walter Chawaguta-led coaching and support staff, who were asked to step aside following Zimbabwe Women’s disappointing campaign at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026 in Nepal earlier this year.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni said the changes were necessary to stabilise the team and inject renewed focus ahead of a major milestone in the country’s women’s cricket journey.
“We felt it was important to act decisively following the recent T20 World Cup Qualifier campaign,” Makoni said. “As we enter the ICC Women’s Championship for the first time, this is a significant moment for Zimbabwe Women’s cricket and it demands renewed focus, energy and accountability. Kate Ebrahim brings valuable international playing experience, including deep knowledge of New Zealand conditions, and we believe she is well placed to guide the team during this important tour.”
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Ebrahim, who is married to former Zimbabwe international and current men’s assistant coach Dion Ebrahim, steps into the role at a time when Zimbabwe Women are seeking to establish themselves on the global stage after years outside the top-tier international structures.
The move by Zimbabwe Cricket has been widely applauded by fans, who have welcomed the decision as a step towards restoring accountability and performance within the women’s setup, with some also demanding similar changes at junior level.
Ashley Kudakwashe praised the decision, saying
"there was no need to reward non-performers and called for the Under-19 technical team of Chigumbura and Zolsky to face the same fate after what he described as a horrible home campaign at the recently concluded Under-19 World Cup."
Another fan Mark Williams commented " the appointment of former New Zealand women’s international Kate Ebrahim as interim head coach was the breaking news that fans had been waiting for," while Panashe Matsikire echoed the general sentiment, stating that
"anyone who fails to deliver in their role should be let go."
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