Firefighters reacted quickly to put out a roaring fire at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday night, to guarantee the undisturbed conduct of the men’s World Cup Qualifier Fixtures. The southern end of the ground, which was dangerously close to the stands, was seriously endangered by the fire, which had been started by thatched roofing material from an adjacent refurbished structure.
Around 10 P.M, social media erupted with images and videos of the rising flames that were visible from the HSC stands. As a result, The Harare Fire Brigade arrived quickly and the fire was successfully put out before the stand sustained any damage. Following an examination on Wednesday, an ICC security team decided that the remaining matches at HSC would go on as scheduled without compromising the security of the fans.
Zimbabwe Cricket issued a statement on Wednesday, reassuring fans that “no damage was caused to any of the structures at the ground.” As a result, the match between Nepal and West Indies on Thursday will go on as scheduled.
Due to its location across Fifth Street from Zimbabwe House, a key government facility where President Emmerson Mnangagwa frequently holds important meetings, HSC received immediate assistance from the Harare Fire Brigade.
The famous pub Castle Corner, which currently lacks its unique thatched roof due to ongoing repairs, was amongst the areas of the facility that were most severely injured by the fire. The spot is also where the facility is most crowded and lively during matches.
Fans are thrilled to be able to witness World Cup Qualifier Fixtures at Harare Sports Club
As for the qualifiers, Zimbabwe has won both of its group games owing to their outstanding play and devoted fans, which has prepared them for a highly anticipated matchup against the West Indies at HSC on Saturday.
Moving the matches to another venue would have been a disappointment for the supporters and could have impacted Zimbabwe’s prospects of qualifying for the World Cup in India, which is scheduled to take place in October and November.
After the match on Tuesday, Max O’Dowd, a player from the Netherlands, posted on social media to express his gratitude to the audience for their Shona shouts. “Just want to say thank you to Castle Corner for singing my favorite song,” O’Dowd wrote on social media. Best crowd in the world!”
The unbreakable spirit of the stadium and its ardent supporters will definitely add to an electrifying environment, producing an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike, as cricket devotees eagerly anticipate the thrilling matches that lie ahead.
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