The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
Goodbye Hamilton Masakadza, one of the most difficult players to organize an interview with.
Straitlaced, professional and honest- you would always reply with ‘you know what to do Zhawi’, whenever I wanted a story.
Now that you have walked away from international cricket, now that you have hung up your international cricket boots, it seems only prudent that I share my little and big Hamilton Masakadza moments.
As a near-future left arm option for convener of selectors Walter Chawaguta and his mates, I am proud to share with the world that I got you out, bowled, in your own backyard of Mutare Sports Club during my days at Mash Eagles in the 2016/17 season.
To cap it off, I gave you a send-off much to the surprise of my teammate and close buddy Kudzai Oliver Maunze.
“Who does that to Mudhara Hammy?” Maunze exclaimed.
I later realized, I had crossed the line when your brothers Wellington and Shingie came over to the third man, where I was fielding after your dismissal, to threaten me over the send -off.
It was good banter though, something in the heat of the moment that I neither thought anyone would take seriously nor regret.
For me, it was one of the early chapters in our friendship. Now, I am your proud team mate at the Mountaineers and I am privileged to have known you long enough to understand that famous beaming smile and the ‘Hammy Laugh.’
I got to understand you better when I interviewed your father, Winston, a fortnight ago. And a phone interview with your mother revealed that you are a ‘good kid’ to her.
You are loved and respected in the Mountaineers team. The media and some fans loved to hate you, because they wanted you to perform every match, because you are Mudhara.
You made a grand entrance into international cricket and last Friday you made a proud exit.
It is never easy to be a leader as you are prone to all sorts of criticism, but only a few know of the sacrifices you have made, the long hours of playing touch rugby at Old Hararirans.
Not many know about the early morning runs in Avondale with Kuda Chirume, Kuda Munyede and Wellington Masakadza.
The extra batting sessions you would do after national team practices.
I remember how we pushed each other during a beep test two seasons ago, and because of that experience I have a new fond respect for ‘Maximum effort’.
I also remember your emotional farewell; you shed tears as you broke the retirement news to the team.
This was the second time I saw you shed tears, with the first being when Mash Eagles stunned the Mountaineers in the 2016 T20 tournament in Bulawayo.
That only showed your passion for the game, to me that is. Recently, you were an umpire at the St George’s T20 tournament, because you love cricket.
Now that you have international cricket demands off your shoulders; I believe attention shifts to your Foundation plans.
As for me, I would like to say well batted, and enjoy life after cricket
