Zimbabwe Cricket Slammed For Paying Ben Curran Just US$300 Man Of The Match Fee
Zimbabwe Cricket has been caught in a storm after awarding opening batter Ben Curran US$300 (about R5,600) for his Player of the Match performance in the Test victory against Afghanistan on 22 October 2025. Curran’s maiden Test century sealed the win for Zimbabwe, but the symbolic cheque has been widely condemned as disrespectful and embarrassing.
Politicians And Public Outcry
Opposition politician and lawyer Fadzayi Mahere was among the first to voice her disapproval. Writing on X, she said:
“Our national team athletes deserve more respect. Ben Curran made a significant contribution to Zimbabwe’s outstanding victory against Afghanistan. Surely he deserves more than US$300? This underlines the continued neglect of sport – an integral part of uniting Zimbabweans and fostering national pride. Wearing that Zim blazer on the international stage is the highest honour. The incentives given to our sportspersons must reflect this.”
Her message sparked a flood of angry responses. Fans and commentators echoed her words, questioning why Zimbabwe Cricket would present such a small sum in front of the cameras.
One supporter, @InnocentOnias, said:
“Chikundishamisa is that banner rikumashure rema sponsor shuwa they all agree kuti Man of the Match anopihwa US$300 aahhh.” (What shocks me is that the sponsor banner was behind them and they all agreed that the Man of the Match gets US$300?).
Another, @WelongoKayz, mocked the cheque, commenting:
“A big cheque of a very small amount.”
Defending The Token Amount
Sports analyst Chief Koti defended the system, explaining that the US$300 was a symbolic gesture, not Curran’s entire match earnings.
He explained:
“The US$300 Man of the Match fee is really just a token of appreciation outside of the main salary structure. National team players are contracted by Zimbabwe Cricket and receive structured remuneration.”
Koti said Zimbabwe Cricket’s contracted players earn between US$1,500 (R28,000) and US$2,000 (R37,000) per month, with top-tier players earning up to US$15,000 (R280,000). Test match participants also receive upwards of US$2,000 (R37,000) in match fees.
But despite this clarification, the backlash continued.
More Voices Join In
Reactions poured in from every corner.
@BhudhiGhivhi wrote:
“US$300 for ‘Player of the Match’ in a sport that globally generates billions annually?? Unserious.”
@KingJayZim added:
“Munotikuvadzisa muma Twar nema amapianoists. Bhalai imwe zero zvayo.” (You are embarrassing us on social media. Add another zero to the cheque).
@TinomudaisheChinyoka questioned whether Zimbabwe Cricket had even secured sponsorship for the award:
“I hope Zim Cricket did not agree to give someone publicity like this for sponsoring a US$300 prize? Better to sponsor the award themselves at this rate.”
@TheePoetZW likened players to soldiers, saying:
“The player there is like a war veteran fighting for the glory of his country but he is getting peanuts for the hard work.”
Debate Over Priorities
The anger has drawn attention to broader questions about how sport is funded in Zimbabwe. Many fans compared the US$300 award to extravagant sums given out in other sectors.
@PeterKufa2 remarked in Shona:
“Mumwe anopihwa US$50,000 yekupfeka pamper achizvidira hupfu. Nyika ino yakaroiwa nevakafa shuwa!” (Someone is given US$50,000 for wearing a diaper while pouring flour on themselves. This country is cursed by the dead!).
Others questioned whether Zimbabwe Cricket was being transparent with sponsorship deals, while some proposed that businesspeople or corporate sponsors should step in to fund more meaningful awards.
One supporter, @bonnie23, joked:
“Tadii tati Sir Wicknell vaite ma Man of the Match awards.” (Why don’t we say Sir Wicknell should fund Man of the Match awards?).
International Comparisons
Globally, Man of the Match awards are far more lucrative. According to CricketWeb, Test match awards often range from US$1,000 (R18,700) to US$10,000 (R187,000). At World Cup tournaments, the award is even more.
For Zimbabwean fans, this makes the US$300 prize even harder to accept. Many believe it diminishes the value of national athletes and their achievements, especially at a time when the country is celebrating rare success on the international stage.
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The post Zimbabwe Cricket’s US$300 Player Of The Match Fee Sparks Outrage appeared first on iHarare News.
