Zimbabwe Cricket has named a strong 14-player squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025, to be staged in Namibia from 31 August to 6 September.

Veteran batter Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano will lead the side, which features a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents as Zimbabwe seek to secure a place at next year’s Global Qualifier in Nepal – the final step towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Zimbabwe are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Namibia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, while Group B consists of Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda.

The Lady Chevrons will kick off their campaign against Namibia on the afternoon of 31 August at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.

They will then face Sierra Leone the following morning at the same venue, before wrapping up their group fixtures with a clash against Nigeria on 3 September at the HP Oval in the Namibian capital.

The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals scheduled for 4 September, with the two finalists not only battling for the trophy on 6 September but also booking their tickets to the Global Qualifier in Nepal early next year.

Zimbabwe will look to draw inspiration from their impressive run in the last edition of the Africa Qualifier, held in Uganda in 2023, where they went unbeaten and defeated Uganda in the final to advance.

Head Coach Walter Chawaguta said the team was focused and determined to build on that success.

“This tournament is of huge significance because it is our gateway to the Global Qualifier, which in turn gives us a chance to play at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026,” he said.

“Every game counts and we know what is at stake.”

He added that preparations had gone well, with the players responding positively in training.

“We have worked hard on all aspects of our game – from batting depth and bowling variations to fielding sharpness,” he said.

“The squad has a good balance of experience and youth, and we believe we are in a strong position to compete.”

Chawaguta, however, warned against complacency.

“It’s important for us to stay humble and grounded,” he said.

“We cannot afford to underestimate any opposition because in tournament cricket, one bad day can undo all your hard work.

“The key will be to remain consistent and play every match with the same intensity.”

The Zimbabwe squad brings together experienced players such as Josephine Nkomo, Modester Mupachikwa, Loreen Tshuma, Nomvelo Sibanda and Christabel Chatonzwa, alongside rising stars Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Kudzai Chigora, Adel Zimunu and Lindokuhle Mabhero.

Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura and Francisca Chipare complete the 14-player line-up.

ZIMBABWE WOMEN’S SQUAD FOR ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP AFRICA QUALIFIER 2025:

Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (Captain), Beloved Biza, Christabel Chatonzwa, Kudzai Chigora, Francisca Chipare, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Josephine Nkomo, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma, Adel Zimunu

Source: Zimbabwe Cricket

Cricket fans in Harare are gearing up for an exciting showdown as Zimbabwe takes on Sri Lanka in the first match of their two-game ODI series on August 29, 2025, at Harare Sports Club. The fixture marks a significant moment for Zimbabwe, not only as a chance to bounce back from recent struggles, but also as the stage for Brendan Taylor’s long-awaited return to ODI cricket.

Taylor, one of Zimbabwe’s most seasoned players, is set to make his comeback after serving a ban for breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code. His last ODI appearance dates back to September 2021, and his return is expected to inject experience and leadership into a squad that’s been searching for consistency.

“We are delighted to welcome Brendan back into the fold,” said Zimbabwe’s convener of selectors David Mutendera. “His experience and quality are invaluable, especially in pressure situations, and his presence will no doubt lift the dressing room”.

Zimbabwe’s 16-member squad, led by Craig Ervine, features a blend of veterans and fresh faces. New additions include uncapped seamer Ernest Masuku, along with Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, and Brad Evans. The team will be looking to shake off a tough run of form that includes heavy defeats in Tests and T20Is against South Africa and New Zealand.

On the other side, Sri Lanka arrives with momentum and discipline. Their squad, captained by Charith Asalanka, includes a strong bowling lineup featuring Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dilshan Madushanka, alongside batting talents like Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis.

Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons emphasized the importance of role clarity and adapting to the tempo of one-day cricket: “Clarity in roles will be key – each player must understand exactly what’s required. Get that right, and I believe we can compete strongly against a very disciplined Sri Lankan outfit”.

With the match set to begin at 1:00 PM local time, the Harare crowd will be hoping for a spirited performance from the home side. For Zimbabwe, this series is more than just a contest—it’s a chance to reset, rally, and rediscover their rhythm in the white-ball format.

New Zealand – 190-6 in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 75, Rachin Ravindra 63, Michael Bracewell 26*; Richard Ngarava 4/34, Tinotenda Maposa 2/33)

Zimbabwe – 130 all out in 18.5 overs (Tony Munyonga 40, Dion Myers 22, Tashinga Musekiwa 21; Ish Sodhi 4/12, Matt Henry 2/34, Zakary Foulkes 1/14)

New Zealand won by 60 runs

A spirited 40 from Tony Munyonga and a superb four-wicket haul by Richard Ngarava were not enough to save Zimbabwe from slumping to their fourth consecutive defeat in the T20I tri-series, as they succumbed to a 60-run loss against New Zealand at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

For the first time in the tournament, Zimbabwe were asked to bowl first after the visitors won the toss.

Despite an early life, New Zealand opener Tim Robinson departed for 10 in the third over, slicing a drive off Ngarava to Tashinga Musekiwa at deep third man with the score on 19.

What followed was a dominant batting display by Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert, who capitalised on some sloppy Zimbabwean fielding – most notably when Seifert was dropped on 13.

The pair put on a punishing 108-run stand for the second wicket.

Ravindra brought up his half-century off 32 balls, with Seifert following shortly after from 33 deliveries.

The partnership was broken in the 14th over when Ravindra, having struck two sixes and seven fours in his 63 off 39 balls, lofted a catch to Sikandar Raza at long-on off Tinotenda Maposa.

Two balls later, Mark Chapman fell for a duck, caught at long-on by Wellington Masakadza to leave New Zealand on 127 for three.

Seifert continued the onslaught, eventually falling for a blistering 75 off 45 balls, edging Ngarava to the keeper.

Ngarava struck again two balls later, removing Bevon Jacobs for a duck, and returned in the final over of his spell to dismiss Mitchell Santner.

Finishing with figures of four for 34 in his four overs, Ngarava was Zimbabwe’s standout bowler in an otherwise difficult innings.

Although Zimbabwe managed to rein in the scoring briefly, the final over, bowled by Trevor Gwandu, proved costly.

Michael Bracewell smashed 21 runs off it, including a six and two fours, propelling New Zealand to 190 for six. 

Bracewell remained unbeaten on 26.

Zimbabwe began their chase brightly, with Dion Myers, promoted to open for the first time, striking three boundaries in Matt Henry’s opening over to race to 14.

However, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi triggered a top-order collapse.

Sodhi removed Brian Bennett for one in his first over and struck twice in his next, bowling Clive Madande (2) with a ripping googly before castling Myers for 22.

At 28 for three after five overs, Zimbabwe were in disarray.

Raza briefly counter-attacked, hitting Henry for a boundary, but was trapped lbw for nine by the same bowler.

Ryan Burl (5) holed out to Bracewell, and Zimbabwe slumped to 44 for five.

Munyonga fought back with a flurry of big hits, including a towering six off Bracewell and two more off Santner.

But attempting a fourth maximum off Sodhi, he was caught at long-off for 40 off 30 balls in a valiant effort to revive the innings. 

Musekiwa added a useful 21, but no other batter reached double figures.

Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 130 in 18.5 overs, falling well short of the target. 

Sodhi was the standout bowler for New Zealand, finishing with remarkable figures of four for 12 in his four overs.