Sarah Dambanevana, Pioneering Zimbabwean Umpire, Dies at 36
Sarah Dambanevana, a former fast bowler and international umpire from Zimbabwe, has died at the age of 36 in Harare. Her passing occurred on October 12, following a lengthy hospitalization after a medical procedure in March, as confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket.
Dambanevana played for Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2014 before transitioning to umpiring. She began her international umpiring career in September 2023 and made history by officiating in the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup final earlier that year. She was also the first Zimbabwean woman to serve as an umpire in the Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE in 2024 and participated in the Women's ODI World Cup in 2025, where she was part of an all-female panel of match officials.
Throughout her career, Dambanevana officiated in 63 senior international matches, including 42 women's T20 Internationals and 11 women's ODIs. Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani praised her contributions to the sport, highlighting her role in inspiring young women in cricket and her legacy within the cricket community.
