Sarah Dambanevana, Zimbabwe’s first women’s T20 World Cup umpire, has died aged 36.

Former Zimbabwe fast bowler and international umpire Sarah Dambanevana has died in Harare aged 36. She died on Monday, October 12, after spending months in hospital following a medical procedure in March, Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed.Dambanevana represented Zimbabwe as a player between 2009 and 2014 before moving into umpiring where she made history on the international stage.

From player to pioneering referee

Dambanevana began her senior international refereeing career in September 2023. Earlier that year, she became the first Zimbabwean woman to referee a World Cup final when she officiated in the Under-19 Women’s World Cup final between India and England in South Africa.She later officiated at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first Zimbabwean umpire to do so.She also participated in the Women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2025. She was part of the first all-female umpiring panel in the latter tournament.She has played a total of 63 senior international matches, including 42 women’s T20 Internationals, 11 women’s ODIs and 10 men’s T20 Internationals. She has also worked in domestic cricket and international youth tournaments. Before becoming a referee, she played for Zimbabwe, including qualifying for the 2011 World Cup. In 2022, she joined the ICC Umpire Development Panel.

Zimbabwe Cricket pays tribute

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani praised Dambanevana for her contribution to the game as a player and umpire.“Sarah has served Zimbabwe with distinction, first as a player and then as a referee, her skills securing her place on the world stage,” Mukuhlani said. “Watching her stand in the World Cup final was a moment of immense pride for our cricket community and our country. She showed young Zimbabwean women that they belong at the highest levels of the game, including in roles where opportunities have long been limited.“Through her achievements, she opened doors and gave others the confidence to follow their own ambitions. We will remember her dedication, her professionalism and her willingness to help others grow. Her passing will leave a painful void in our cricket family, but the example she set will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.”