During Friday’s first Twenty20 International between India and Zimbabwe at the Shaheed Veer Narayan International Stadium in Raipur, players from both countries were seen donning black armbands. This might be in memory of Sarah Dambanevana, a former cricket player and umpire from Zimbabwe who died earlier this week. Before the play began, a minute of silence was also observed in remembrance of her passing.
The action was taken in memory of Sarah Dambanevana, a former Zimbabwean cricket player and umpire who died in Harare on October 14, 2026, at the age of 36. Since having a medical procedure in March 2026, she had been staying in the hospital. Dambanevana was a fast bowler for Zimbabwe before switching to officiating, where she became one of the nation’s first female match officials. She went away after a brief illness. Her transition from international cricket player to umpire demonstrated her unwavering dedication to the sport and her will to advance the status of women in cricket.
On X, BCCI wrote, “The Indian Cricket Team, Zimbabwe Cricket Team and match officials are wearing black arm bands and observed a moment of silence in honour and memory of former Zimbabwe cricketer and umpire Sarah Dambanevana, following her recent passing.”
From 2009 to 2014, fast bowler Sarah Dambanevana played for the Zimbabwe women’s team. One of the most important competitions Zimbabwe participated in throughout her playing career was the 2011 Women’s World Cup Qualifier, when she was a member of the team. Dambanevana made a successful transition from playing to umpiring after retiring. Her international career as an official began in 2022 when she became the first female umpire from Zimbabwe to join the ICC Development Umpires Panel.
On September 2, 2023, she officiated her first international match in a women’s Twenty20 International between Kenya and Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana. She officiated 72 senior international matches over her career, including 10 men’s T20Is, 14 women’s ODIs, and 48 women’s T20Is. On February 1, 2026, at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier in Nepal, she officiated her last Twenty20 International between Ireland and Thailand.
