Justin Sammons to step down as Zimbabwe head coach after Afghanistan series

The ongoing second Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, being played at Sharjah will also mark the final assignment for Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons. Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed on Saturday, November 14, that Sammons will leave his position once the match concludes, currently scheduled for November 18.

Sammons, who has been in the role since June 2024, chose to end his tenure early to return to South Africa and spend more time with his family. His contract with Zimbabwe Cricket ran through to the end of 2028, making this an early departure. Sammons reflected on the full scope of his time in charge, expressing gratitude to everyone connected with the programme.

"Leading the Zimbabwe men’s national team has been an incredible experience, one that I will always look back on with great memories. I must thank the Zimbabwe Cricket Board for allowing me the opportunity to work with this team, as well as everyone within Zimbabwe cricket, from the administration to the ground staff, who have always given their all in helping the team move forward. Importantly, I must thank the players and technical staff for their continued commitment in striving to improve – they made my time in Zimbabwe one that I will always be grateful for," said Sammons.

The standout moment of Sammons' tenure arrived at the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where Zimbabwe entered the Super Eight stage for the first time in the country's history. That milestone came after an unbeaten run through Group B, with wins over Oman, Sri Lanka and Australia carrying the side through. The victory over Australia, in particular, drew widespread attention as one of the more significant results in recent Zimbabwean cricket.

ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni acknowledged the board's position on the resignation, introducing the official response from the organisation:

"It was very difficult for us to accept Justin’s resignation, but we understand and respect his decision to return home to be with his family. Justin has worked hard to help our players improve and the team’s progress under his leadership was evident in some memorable Test wins and in the way Zimbabwe competed at the T20 World Cup," said Makoni.

What is the next confirmed step for Zimbabwe Cricket?

With Sammons' exit confirmed, Zimbabwe Cricket now faces the task of finding a replacement, though no successor had been named as of writing. The board has not announced a timeline for the appointment process.

Before his move to Zimbabwe, Sammons built his coaching background across several domestic sides in South Africa. Between 2021 and 2023, he served as a batting consultant with Cricket South Africa's national team and was also part of the organisation's high-performance unit. The second Test in Sharjah will bring that career chapter to a close.