Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed that Justin Sammons will step down as head coach of the men's national team, ending a two-year tenure that lifted Zimbabwe to their best-ever finish at a T20 World Cup and delivered three Test wins. The board announced on Saturday, 14 November, that Sammons had tendered his resignation and will leave the role immediately after the ongoing second Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah.
The reason is family. Sammons, a South African, wants to return home to spend more time with his family — a decision that cuts short a contract that ran until the end of 2028. Before taking charge of Zimbabwe in June 2024, he worked with several domestic sides in South Africa, in Cricket South Africa's high-performance unit, and as the national team's batting consultant between 2021 and 2023.
The announcement
Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed the news on Saturday, midway through the Sharjah Test, which is the final match of Zimbabwe's tour of the United Arab Emirates. Sammons will stay in charge until the Test ends, and then hand over.
He took over in June 2024 at a low point for Zimbabwe cricket — the team had just missed out on qualification for the 2024 T20 World Cup. In the two years since, he rebuilt the side's belief across formats, and the results followed.
Why Sammons is leaving
Sammons made it clear the decision was personal, not professional. He thanked the board, the staff and the players, and said he was leaving with nothing but good memories of the job.
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.
He also paid tribute to the players and the technical staff who worked with him, before explaining the one thing that pulled him home.
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. However, it is important for me to now move back home to allow for time with the family. I know the team will continue to improve moving forward, and I wish them all success.
What Sammons achieved in two years
The clearest measure of Sammons' tenure is the Test record. Under him, Zimbabwe won three Tests — including a first away win since 2021, when they beat Bangladesh in Sylhet in April 2025 — and secured back-to-back innings wins in their last two home games, over Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The white-ball turnaround was just as striking. Having missed the 2024 T20 World Cup altogether, Zimbabwe went to the 2026 edition and produced their best-ever finish, reaching the Super Eight stage and ending the tournament in eighth place. They went unbeaten in Group B, with memorable wins over Australia, Sri Lanka and Oman.
The current series in Sharjah has already added to that story. The first Test ended in a high-scoring draw, with Zimbabwe becoming the first team in Test history to score 500 or more in both innings of a match.
His final assignment — the Sharjah Test
Sammons' last match in charge is the second Test against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, played from 13 to 17 November. At stumps on day two, Zimbabwe were firmly on top: they had made 339 in their first innings, built on Brendan Taylor's 119 and Innocent Kaia's 96, and Afghanistan were 159 for 6 in reply, still trailing by 180 runs.
The one bright spot for Afghanistan on day two was debutant left-arm spinner Naseer Khan Maroofkhil, who took 7 for 151 — the second-best figures by an Afghan bowler on Test debut. Zimbabwe had won the toss and chosen to bat first.
If Zimbabwe close out the win from here, it would be a fitting farewell for a coach who made Test cricket the centrepiece of his time in charge.
What Zimbabwe Cricket said
Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni said the board had been reluctant to let Sammons go, but respected his reasons.
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.
Makoni also thanked Sammons for the progress the team made under him, pointing to the Test wins and the T20 World Cup campaign as the clearest evidence of it.
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. On behalf of Zimbabwe Cricket, I thank him for his commitment, and wish him and his family all the best.
What happens next
Zimbabwe Cricket will now begin the search for Sammons' successor, with no name announced yet. The Sharjah Test runs until 17 November, and once it is over, Sammons will head back to South Africa. Whoever takes over will inherit a team in a far better place than the one Sammons found in June 2024 — a side that wins Test matches again and believes it belongs at a World Cup.
FAQs
Why is Justin Sammons stepping down as Zimbabwe head coach?
Sammons tendered his resignation to return home to South Africa to spend more time with his family. Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed the news on Saturday, 14 November, saying it understood and respected his decision.
When does Sammons leave the role?
He will step down immediately after the second Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah, which is being played from 13 to 17 November and is the final match of Zimbabwe's tour of the United Arab Emirates.
How long was Sammons Zimbabwe's head coach?
He was appointed in June 2024, so he leaves after a little over two years in charge. His contract had been due to run until the end of 2028.
What did Zimbabwe achieve under Sammons?
Three Test wins, including a first away win since 2021 against Bangladesh in Sylhet in April 2025, and their best-ever T20 World Cup finish — the Super Eight stage of the 2026 edition, where they went unbeaten in Group B with wins over Australia, Sri Lanka and Oman.
Who will replace Sammons as Zimbabwe head coach?
No successor has been named yet. Zimbabwe Cricket will begin the process of finding a new head coach once Sammons' final Test in charge is over.
Conclusion
Justin Sammons arrived in Harare in June 2024 with Zimbabwe at a low ebb, missing from a World Cup and short on belief. He leaves two years later with three Test wins, a best-ever T20 World Cup finish and a team that expects to compete again. That is a legacy any coach would be proud of — and the reason Zimbabwe Cricket found his resignation so hard to accept. The Sharjah Test is his farewell; the search for his successor starts the moment it ends.
Also on CricVic: Zimbabwe Make Test History as Ervine's Double Hundred Seals Record-Breaking Draw Against Afghanistan in Sharjah
Also on CricVic: Live Matches Today: Cricket Schedule, 14 November 2026
Sources: ICC — Sammons to step down as Zimbabwe men's Head Coach, ESPNcricinfo — Justin Sammons resigns as Zimbabwe head coach, Reuters — Sammons to step down as Zimbabwe's head coach after UAE tour