Former Zimbabwe fast bowler and umpire Sarah Dambanevana died in Harare on Monday at the age of 36.
According to a statement issued by Zimbabwe Cricket, Dambanevana had been hospitalised since undergoing a medical procedure in March.
She began her senior international umpiring career on September 2, 2023. She subsequently officiated at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka.
She was also part of the historic all-female panel of umpires and match officials appointed for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.
Earlier, Dambanevana officiated in the final between India and England at the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
With this achievement, she became the first Zimbabwean woman to officiate in a World Cup final.
Overall, she officiated in 63 senior international matches, including 42 Women’s T20 Internationals, 11 Women’s One-Day Internationals and 10 Men’s T20 Internationals. She also officiated in domestic cricket and international youth tournaments.
Dambanevana represented Zimbabwe as a player from 2009 to 2014, including at the 2011 World Cup Qualifier. She was appointed to the international umpiring panel in 2022.
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