Daijiworld Media Network - Harare
Harare, Apr 21: Zimbabwe Cricket has announced a significant milestone for its women's national team: their inaugural tour to the United States of America for a limited-overs series commencing this week. This landmark visit marks the first time the Zimbabwe women's side will compete in a bilateral or any other cricket series on American soil.
The tour itinerary includes three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and two One Day Internationals (ODIs), scheduled to take place from April 25th to May 3rd. All matches will be hosted at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas.
The T20I leg will kick off the tour with matches slated for April 25th, 27th, and 29th. Following this, the ODI series will unfold on May 1st and 3rd.
"This historic engagement underscores ZC’s steadfast commitment to expanding international playing opportunities for the Zimbabwe Women’s national team across both formats of the game," Zimbabwe Cricket stated in an official release.
The last encounter between the Zimbabwe and USA women's teams was in October 2024, when the American side toured Harare for an ODI series.
Ahead of the team's departure, Zimbabwe women’s head coach Walter Chawaguta emphasized the tour's importance as a developmental step. "The US tour marks the beginning of our preparations for the Ireland series in July, which will provide a crucial assessment of our progress leading up to the FTP next year. It also initiates our campaign for the Africa qualifiers later this year," he commented.
For the upcoming series in Texas, Zimbabwe Cricket has selected a balanced 15-member squad, combining seasoned players with promising young talent.
Experienced campaigners such as Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Josephine Nkomo, Modester Mupachikwa, Precious Marange, Loreen Tshuma, Chiedza Dhururu, and Nomvelo Sibanda will bring valuable experience and leadership to the team.
They will be joined by some of the nation's brightest emerging stars, including youth prodigies Kelis Ndhlovu and Beloved Biza, as well as promising talents Adel Zimunu, Natasha Mthomba, and Lindokuhle Mabhero, highlighting Zimbabwe Women's focus on building for the future.
"The squad selection reflects a ‘bigger picture’ approach, aiming to broaden our player pool and foster healthy competition for places within the team," explained Chawaguta.
Zimbabwe Squad: Biza Beloved, Chipare Francesca, Dhururu Chiedza, Mabhero Lindokuhle, Makusha Tendai, Marange Precious, Mthomba Natasha, Mugeri-Tiripano Chipo, Mupachikwa Modester, Ndhlovu Kelis, Nkomo Josephine, Pasipanodya Runyararo, Sibanda Nomvelo, Tshuma Loreen, Zimunu Adel.
Non-Travelling Reserves: Gwanzura Nyasha, Ndiraya Kelly.