Former Zimbabwe skipper Mary-Anne Musonda steps away from cricket in 2026

Mary-Anne Musonda ends her international and domestic cricket career after 20 years of service to Zimbabwe Women.

Retirement announcement details To those watching from the outside, it may appear that there is still plenty of energy remaining—both in terms of skill and drive. Yet, the decision was never solely about capability or how much longer she could perform. Instead, it blended timing, personal reflection, and the physical demands of the sport. Musonda explained in a statement released by Zimbabwe Cricket, "From the outside it might seem like there's still more left in the tank—and, in many ways, there is. But this decision wasn't only about performance or ability. It was a combination of timing, perspective and physical reality." At 34 years old, she acknowledged that her choice was less about whether she could continue competing and more about whether it was practical to keep pushing her body to its limits repeatedly. "At 34, I became more aware that it wasn't just about whether I could keep playing, but whether it was sustainable to keep asking my body to operate at that level over and over again." ## Leadership and captaincy years Musonda has been a part of the Zimbabwe cricket setup since 2006, taking on the role of captain in 2018. During her tenure as skipper, Zimbabwe Women earned international status, and she contributed five T20 International half-centuries. In 2021, she made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean player to score a women’s international century, achieving an unbeaten 103 in an ODI against Ireland. ## Responsibilities beyond results She reflected on the burden of leadership, saying, "Captaining Zimbabwe Women meant carrying more than results. It meant carrying the hopes of a growing game." Her role was not just about wins on the field but about nurturing the growth of women’s cricket in the country. "We weren't just playing matches, we were helping lay a foundation for the next generation, where every performance mattered in shifting perceptions and opening doors." ## Legacy beyond statistics Looking ahead, Musonda emphasized the kind of legacy she wished to leave behind. "The legacy I hope to leave behind goes beyond records or milestones," she stated. "It's about impact.. if, years from now, more girls are playing cricket in schools and more pathways exist, then that, to me, is the real legacy." ## Official tribute from Zimbabwe Cricket Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani paid tribute to Musonda’s contributions. "Mary-Anne has been a true servant of Zimbabwe Cricket and a pioneer for the women's game. Her leadership, professionalism and commitment have left an indelible mark on our cricketing landscape," he said. ## Global cricket milestones Beyond her international and domestic appearances, Musonda achieved a unique milestone by becoming the first Zimbabwean player to compete in the Fairbreak T20 competition.