New Delhi, March 2 – The passionate Zimbabwean fans, known for their enthusiastic singing and dancing at Harare Sports Club, made a significant impact during the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, particularly during the Super Eights clash against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.
Amidst the 24,500 spectators – a notable increase from the 17,500 at the start – the Castle Corner supporters, seated in the eastern corner of the Gautam Gambhir stand, captivated everyone with their cheering, singing, and unwavering support for the Zimbabwe team. Their spirited backing was particularly evident when Zimbabwe secured victories against Australia and Sri Lanka, allowing them to top Group B and advance to the Super Eights.
Despite Zimbabwe's three defeats in the Super Eights, the generous Castle company stepped in to cover the travel expenses for these six fans, and eventually, five of them were able to attend the matches in Mumbai, Chennai, and New Delhi.
Captain Sikandar Raza, while unable to immediately acknowledge the fans after the final game due to an interview obligation, was surrounded by the Castle Corner supporters as he left the field.
Raza then made his way towards the group of supporters, where he greeted them with enthusiastic applause, singing, and salutations, reflecting the strong bond between the team and its fans.
Raza delivered a stellar performance, scoring 73 with the bat and taking 3 wickets with the ball, showcasing his all-round skills. His performance was particularly noteworthy given that it may have been one of his last innings in the format.
"Regarding the Castle Corner, firstly, we have a personal connection with them. We know each member of the Castle Corner by name. We know their families, their children, and everything. They are not just fans for us; they are an integral part of our cricketing family. Therefore, our relationship with the Castle Corner extends far beyond just our relationship with fans," he stated during the post-match press conference.
He also addressed the wider Delhi crowd, who had enthusiastically supported Zimbabwe. "Finally, I want to express my gratitude to the crowd in Delhi. Your chants, your support, and your respect for Zimbabwe have been truly appreciated. I am leaving with many fond memories, and I am eternally grateful to this Delhi crowd," Raza added.
Head coach Justin Sammons echoed Raza's sentiments regarding the Castle Corner. "They are a fantastic group of supporters, and they are incredibly passionate. We are fortunate that they were able to come and support us, and we appreciate their unwavering support. It makes a significant difference, and it also motivates the players," he said during the mixed zone.
Raza emphasized the collective decision to take responsibility for Zimbabwe cricket and rebuild it from within after the missed opportunities in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. "I'll give you a simple answer. The key change was that we changed our culture. We can either blame the management, the resources, or we can blame ourselves.
"As a team, we agreed that it was our responsibility to get Zimbabwe back on track. Once we agreed on that, we took ownership of the situation and focused on rebuilding the team. We believe that with the right approach, we can achieve success," he said.
"We are definitely in a better position now. If we look back 18 months ago, we were playing in Kenya in the sub-regional qualifiers against Gambia, Seychelles, and Mozambique. So that was just 18 months ago, and that's the reality of where we were. To come here and top the group is a major achievement for this team," he added.
"Therefore, we are certainly in a better place. The core group is also relatively young. We have experienced players, but generally, I think most of these players have the potential to grow and develop over the next couple of years. They can be part of the team for the 2028 T20 World Cup, and they will have gained valuable experience," Sammons said.
Sammons also agreed that Raza had delivered his best performance in the final game. "I think it would have meant a lot to him. He is a highly motivated individual, and he wants to represent Zimbabwe with pride. He certainly did that today, and he performed well throughout the tournament. With the bat, he had a good tournament. While he wasn't at his peak with the ball, he still managed to take some crucial wickets," he said.
Raza, who is 39 years old and nearing the end of his international career, promised to assess his availability on a game-to-game basis. "I will see how it goes. One game at a time. I will assess my fitness and make a decision based on my condition. I want to give my best for my country, and I am confident that I can still contribute," he said.
"Even though we lost the game, these lessons have been invaluable. We now know the key areas to focus on, and we know what it takes to compete at the highest level. We now understand the conditions and the challenges that we face.
“We now know how to manage our resources effectively, and we know how to prepare ourselves for different conditions. Even though we didn't win the game, these experiences have been incredibly valuable," he added.
Zimbabwe's World Cup campaign is over, and they now face a challenging period as they prepare for their return home due to the airspace restrictions in the Middle East. However, judging by the enthusiastic support they received in New Delhi on Sunday, the bond between the team and the Castle Corner will continue to strengthen, and their success will be undeniable.
