Harare Sports Club is a cricket stadium located in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Established in 1900, the Harare Sports Club is in the heart of the city and is surrounded by jacaranda trees and with a beautiful gabled pavilion.
Previously known as Salisbury Sports Club until 1982, the Harare Sports Club Ground is bordered by the heavily-guarded presidential palace on one side and the reputable Royal Harare Gold Club on another.
Harare Sports Club staged its first international cricket match, a Test played between Zimbabwe and India in October 1992. Interestingly, it was Zimbabwe’s first Test in international cricket which later ended in a draw.
Few days later, it hosted its first One-Day International (ODI) game that featured hosts Zimbabwe and India. The Mohammad Azharuddin-led India won the ODI by 30 runs.
After almost two decades, Harare Sports Club staged its first T20 international played between Zimbabwe and India. The visitors won the game by six wickets.
Since then, it has hosted more than 40 T20 internationals so far.
Apart from international cricket, Harare Sports Club has also staged several local and domestic T20 games in Harare.
With that being said, let’s have a look at Harare Sports Club T20 records and stats.
Harare Sports Club T20 records and stats
Highest total
The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Harare Sports Club in T20 cricket. During the second T20I of India's tour of Zimbabwe in July 2024, the Shubman Gill-led visitors posted 234/2 in their 20 overs in Harare. Electing to bat first, India rode on Abhishek Sharma's 100 off just 47 balls to post a record T20 total at the venue. Later, India bowled out Zimbabwe for 134 in 18.4 overs to register a comprehensive 100-run victory in the game.
Lowest total
Mashonaland Eagles registered the lowest total at the Harare Sports Club in T20 format. Chasing 230, Mashonaland Eagles were bundled out for 16 in 8.1 overs against Durham in the Zimbabwe Domestic Twenty20 Competition final in March 2024. Interestingly, not a single batter managed to reach double digits as captain Chamu Chibhabha and Tapiwa Mufudza were the top-scorers with four each. For Durham, Callum Parkinson, Paul Coughlin and Luke Robinson bagged two wickets each. Earlier, Bas de Leede (58), Ollie Robinson (49) and Haydon Mustard (46 not out) powered Durham to 229/6 in their 20 overs to help thrash Mashonaland Eagles by 213 runs.
Most runs
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Hamilton Masakadza has scored the most runs at the Harare Sports Club in T20 cricket. Having represented the likes of Easterns Zimbabwe, Mountaineers, Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe XI, Hamilton Masakadza amassed 1,432 runs in 45 matches in the T20 format at this venue. The right-handed batter recorded two centuries and 11 fifties on this ground in T20 cricket. Zimbabwe all-rounder Chamu Chibhabha features second on the list with 1,116 runs in 50 T20 games.
Most wickets
Former Zimbabwe fast bowler Christopher Mpofu has picked up the most wickets at this venue in the T20 format. The former right-arm pacer scalped 41 wickets in 38 T20 matches at an average of 24.56 and an economy of 7.56. Christopher Mpofu played for several T20 teams at this ground including Matabeleland Tuskers, Mid West Rhinos, Westerns, Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe XI. Compatriot Shingi Masakadza is second on the list with 34 T20 wickets in 35 matches.
Highest individual score
Australia’s Aaron Finch registered the highest individual score at this venue in T20 cricket. Opening the batting, former Australia captain Aaron Finch slammed a 76-ball 172 against Zimbabwe in a Tri-Nation Series fixture in July 2018. Aaron Finch clobbered 16 fours and 10 sixes to propel Australia to 229/2 in their 20 overs. Finch’s magnificent century powered Australia to a 100-run victory in Harare.
Best bowling figures
Mashonaland Eagles’ Ray Price has the best bowling figures at the Harare Sports Club in the T20 format. The former Zimbabwe left-arm spinner recorded match-winning figures of 5/12 against Mountaineers in a Zimbabwe Domestic Twenty20 Competition game in 2010. Defending 141, Ray Price bagged the wickets of Mountaineers captain Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Shingi Masakadza, Bernard Mlambo and Natsai M'shangwe to help bowl out the opposition for 59 in 11.5 overs. The Eagles earlier posted 141/9 in their 20 overs to secure an 82-run win.
Highest partnership
Australia’s Aaron Finch and D'Arcy Short hold the record for the highest partnership at the Harare Sports Club in T20 cricket. During the third T20I of a Tri-Nation Series in 2018, former Australia openers Aaron Finch and D'Arcy Short forged a 223-run stand against hosts Zimbabwe. While Finch hammered 172, Short scored 46 to help Australia post 229/2 in their allotted overs. The incredible partnership guided Australia to a 100-run victory in Harare.
Photo credit: Alamy
