Rusere becomes youngest umpire to stand in an international T20.

While cricket lovers around the country were debating which upcoming players would make the Zimbabwe squad to play Bangladesh and South Africa during the ongoing PRAN RFL Triangular, first class umpire Langton Rusere is preparing for a debut of his own when he stands in his first international match on Tuesday the 19th of June where he will officiate in the T20 match that will be played between Bangladesh and South Africa at Harare sports club.

"It is a welcome development for me to get the chance to umpire in these games and I am pleased that ZC decided to have me take part in this series as an on field umpire."  26 year old Rusere attended Imbizo primary school in Bulawayo after which he concluded his schooling at Dikwindi high school in Masvingo. When asked why he was umpiring at such a tender age instead of still playing the game, his answer was as truthful and as honest as his personality. "I wasn't a good cricketer at school, and I had to focus on schoolwork as well since I wasn't on a scholarship so I decided that since I love the game that much, I would focus my full attention on becoming an umpire," said Rusere.

Rusere is quick to acknowledge those who have helped him become the umpire he is today. "One of my biggest mentors is undoubtedly Owen Chirombe. He has helped me develop as an umpire and I look up to him all the time. Owen has given me a lot of support and encouragement, when ever I do anything wrong or when I do something positive, he comes to me to correct my mistakes or encourage me to do better than I have been doing. I also look up to Russell Tiffin, "Rusere says with his trademark smile.

Despite his quiet and unassuming mature, Rusere is very aware of a very important record he will be breaking when he takes to the field on Tuesday. At the tender age of 26, Rusere will become the youngest umpire to stand in a T20 international breaking Test umpire Simon Taufel's record.
Taufel was 36 when he became the youngest umpire to stand in a T20 international back in September 2007 when Kenya played New Zealand in the inaugural 2020 world cup that was hosted by South Africa.

"I feel very honoured to be a part of cricketing history and Simon Taufel is highly respected by the players and he is the umpire I look up to at international level."
Rusere's next goal is to break Taufel's ODI record. The Australian umpire was 28 when he officiated in his first one day international and Rusere has a very real chance of becoming the youngest umpire to stand in a ODI but this can only happen if he is able to umpire three T20 international matches before he turns 28.
Langton Rusere will become yet another Zimbabwean who will be added to the cricket history books.