BULAWAYO – Zimbabwe wrapped up the three-match T20I series against Namibia in emphatic fashion on Tuesday, securing a five-wicket victory at Queens Sports Club with 11 balls to spare. Powered by aggressive batting from Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett, the hosts chased down Namibia’s competitive total of 169 to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Zimbabwe faced a spirited Namibian batting effort. Jan Frylinck gave the visitors a lively start, racing to 22 off 11 balls before falling to Richard Ngarava. The innings gained momentum through a solid second-wicket stand between Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (47 off 30) and Malan Kruger (45 off 44), which pushed Namibia to 98 by the 12th over.

Sikandar Raza broke the partnership, and Tinotenda Maposa followed up with the dismissal of Loftie-Eaton, caught by Brad Evans. Captain Gerhard Erasmus added late impetus with a brisk 37 off 25, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers tightened the screws in the death overs. Ngarava and Evans both finished with identical figures of 2/25, restricting Namibia to 169/6.

Zimbabwe’s reply was anchored by a blistering opening stand. Brian Bennett launched the innings with a flurry of boundaries, racing to 40 off just 20 balls before being caught behind off Ruben Trumpelmann. Marumani then took charge, reaching his half-century from 36 deliveries and combining effectively with Brendan Taylor (29) to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Despite a brief middle-order wobble—losing Marumani, Raza (3), and Taylor in quick succession—Ryan Burl and Tony Munyonga steadied the chase with a 24-run partnership. Munyonga fell for 10, but Burl’s composed 24* off 13 balls and a six from Tashinga Musekiwa off his very first delivery sealed the win in style.

Match Summary

Namibia: 169/6 in 20 overs

• Loftie-Eaton 47, Kruger 45, Erasmus 37
• Ngarava 2/25, Evans 2/25, Maposa 1/28

Zimbabwe: 170/5 in 18.1 overs

• Marumani 50, Bennett 40, Taylor 29
• Smit 2/38, Scholtz 1/33, Trumpelmann 1/37

Result: Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets

Namibia Women – 115-7 in 20 overs (Kayleen Green 48, Yasmeen Khan 23, Mekelaye Mwatile 18; Beloved Biza 2/12, Josephine Nkomo 2/13, Nyasha Gwanzura 1/19)

Zimbabwe Women – 116-1 in 16.3 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 70*, Modester Mupachikwa 37, Loreen Tshuma 4*; Saima Tuhadeleni 1/18)

Zimbabwe Women won by nine wickets

Kelis Ndhlovu struck a scintillating unbeaten 70 to power Zimbabwe Women to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Namibia Women in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Windhoek on Saturday.

The 19-year-old opener dominated proceedings with a fluent 52-ball knock, peppered with 11 fours and a six, as Zimbabwe comfortably chased down Namibia’s 115 for seven with 21 balls to spare.

The result sealed the regional title for Zimbabwe, who, along with Namibia, had already booked their tickets to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 in Nepal by reaching the final.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Zimbabwe had to work hard early on as Namibia’s openers made a steady start.

The breakthrough came in the eighth over when Nyasha Gwanzura bowled Sune Wittmann for 11, ending a 27-run opening stand.

Kayleen Green kept the scoreboard ticking with a composed innings of 48 off 47 balls, decorated with five boundaries and two sixes.

She put on 38 in just five overs with Yasmeen Khan before falling to Loreen Tshuma, returning a catch to the bowler with Namibia well-placed at 65 for two.

Khan (23) and Mekelaye Mwatile added a further 33 runs, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers hit back strongly in the closing stages.

Khan was run out in the 16th over, sparking a collapse.

Beloved Biza then removed Wilka Mwatile for two, while Josephine Nkomo struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Mekelaye Mwatile (18) and Jurriene Diergaardt (1).

Biza returned to claim her second wicket when Mezerly Gorases was caught by Chiedza Dhururu for one, as Namibia stumbled to 115 for seven in their 20 overs.

Biza and Nkomo finished with two wickets apiece, while Tshuma and Gwanzura chipped in with one each.

Zimbabwe’s reply was nothing short of emphatic.

Ndhlovu and Modester Mupachikwa all but sealed the contest with a commanding opening partnership worth 112 runs in 16.1 overs.

Mupachikwa played the perfect supporting role with a patient 37 from 45 balls, striking five fours before she was bowled by Saima Tuhadeleni when attempting to finish the match.

There was little left for Namibia to celebrate, as Tshuma promptly struck a boundary to complete the chase at 116 for one in 16.3 overs.

Ndhlovu walked off unbeaten, her innings underlining her growing stature as one of Zimbabwe’s brightest young stars.

With the title in the bag and a ticket to the global qualifier secured, Zimbabwe will take confidence from their dominant showing in Windhoek where they won all their five matches convincingly.

Zimbabwe’s women’s cricket team has taken a major step toward the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, booking their place in the Global Qualifier after a commanding run through the Africa regional competition. Their latest triumph—a five-wicket victory over Uganda in the semi-final—sealed their qualification and extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament.

The win not only confirmed Zimbabwe’s spot in the final of the Africa Qualifier Division 1 but also guaranteed their participation in the next stage of the World Cup pathway. Their consistent performances have showcased a team growing in confidence and ambition, determined to return to the global stage.

Joining Zimbabwe in the Global Qualifier will be Namibia, who defeated Tanzania by eight wickets in the second semi-final. Namibia handed Tanzania their first loss of the tournament in a dominant display, setting up a final clash with Zimbabwe.

The Global Qualifier will feature ten teams vying for four coveted spots at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. Alongside Zimbabwe and Namibia, the lineup includes:

• Netherlands and Ireland (Europe Qualifier)
• United States (Americas Qualifier)
• Nepal and Thailand (Asia Qualifier)
• Scotland and Bangladesh, who earned automatic qualification based on their participation in the 2024 edition
• One team from the East-Asia Pacific Qualifier, yet to be decided