Justin Sammons resigns as Zimbabwe head coach

Justin Sammons, Zimbabwe's head coach, has announced that he will step down from his role at the end of the ongoing second Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah.

Sammons, who took charge in June 2024, helped reinvigorate Zimbabwe's fortunes across formats, and had been contracted until the end of 2028. However, he will now return to his native South Africa to spend more time with his family.

On Sammons' watch, 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.

Having missed out on qualification for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe achieved a best-ever eighth-place finish in this year's event, having finished unbeaten in Group B thanks to memorable wins over Australia, Sri Lanka and Oman.

"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," Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni said.

"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."

Sammons had previously worked with several domestic sides in South Africa, and was part of Cricket South Africa's high-performance unit, as well as being the national team's batting consultant between 2021 and 2023.

"Leading the Zimbabwe men's national team has been an incredible experience, one that I will always look back on with great memories," he said. "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.

"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."