Mary-Anne Musonda retires from all cricket, Zimbabwe’s first women’s centurion
Zimbabwe pioneer Mary-Anne Musonda has retired from all cricket, citing the physical toll. She was the first Zimbabwean woman to score an international ton.
By SportCricket Desk · 28 Apr 2026 · 3 min read
Mary-Anne Musonda, a trailblazer of Zimbabwean women’s cricket, has announced her retirement from all forms of the game.
Why she stepped away
Musonda said the decision was not based only on her performances but on whether she could sustain playing at the top level over the long term. She felt she still had more to give but recognised the physical demands the sport had placed on her.
Career record
She made 1,054 runs in T20Is and 336 in ODIs. After Zimbabwe Women gained full international status in 2021 she scored five T20I half-centuries. That same year she became the first Zimbabwean woman to hit an international century, an unbeaten 103 against Ireland in the country’s first official ODI.
In 2022 she also became the first Zimbabwean cricketer to play in the FairBreak Invitational T20.
Leadership and legacy
As captain, Musonda helped shape the future of the women’s game in Zimbabwe. She spoke with pride about leading the team in a formative period, when it competed on the field and also helped raise the profile of women’s cricket. She hopes her example inspires future generations and highlighted the need for more participation and clear pathways for young girls.
Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani paid tribute, calling her a pioneer whose leadership, professionalism and dedication have had a lasting effect on cricket in the country.
