Sarah Dambanevana, former Zimbabwe player and umpire, dies at 36

Former Zimbabwe fast bowler and international cricket umpire Sarah Dambanevana has passed away in Harare at the age of 36. According to Zimbabwe Cricket, she had been receiving hospital care following a medical procedure in March.

Dambanevana had a distinguished career, representing Zimbabwe as a player from 2009 to 2014. She later transitioned into officiating, becoming the first Zimbabwean umpire to join the ICC Development Umpires Panel in 2022. She made her international umpiring debut in September 2023 and went on to officiate in major tournaments, including the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka.

She achieved historic milestones, including being the first Zimbabwean woman to umpire a World Cup final, specifically the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup final between India and England. Over her career, she officiated in approximately 63 to 72 senior international matches, including men’s T20Is and various women’s international formats.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah and Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani both issued tributes, noting her role as an inspiration for women in cricket officiating and her dedication to the sport.