Zimbabwe Women are poised to take one of the most significant strides in the history of their cricket as they prepare for a landmark tour of New Zealand, a series that will mark their first-ever participation in the ICC Women’s Championship. The tour not only represents a competitive challenge against an established cricketing nation, but also signals Zimbabwe’s formal entry into the sport’s premier 50-over pathway.
The ODI leg of the tour will count towards the 2025–2029 ICC Women’s Championship cycle, the primary qualification route for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2029. For Zimbabwe, this is uncharted territory, one that brings exposure, accountability, and the opportunity to measure progress against the world’s best.
Leading the historic 15-member squad is 29-year-old left-arm medium pacer Nomvelo Sibanda, a figure synonymous with Zimbabwe’s rise in recent years. Her appointment reflects both continuity and confidence from the selectors, rewarding a player who has consistently delivered with the ball across formats. Sibanda brings valuable experience into the role, with 16 wickets from 20 ODIs and an impressive 54 wickets from 57 T20Is, along with handy lower-order contributions.
Zimbabwe Cricket’s squad composition highlights a deliberate balance between seasoned internationals and emerging prospects. Senior players such as Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Josephine Nkomo and Loryn Phiri continue to form the backbone of the side, providing leadership and stability in pressure situations. At the same time, the inclusion of Precious Marange and Tendai Makusha underlines the selectors’ intent to widen the talent base and invest in the next generation.
Under the Championship’s structure, each participating team plays eight three-match ODI series, four at home and four away across the four-year cycle. According to the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, Zimbabwe Women face a demanding schedule that will see them tour New Zealand, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, while hosting South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland. The scale of the challenge is considerable, but so too is the opportunity for growth.
The New Zealand tour also follows Zimbabwe’s recent outings in global qualifying events, including the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, where the side showcased improved competitiveness and depth. While results have been mixed, the exposure to high-intensity international cricket has accelerated development, particularly among younger players transitioning from domestic to global stages.
Zimbabwe Women’s entry into the ICC Women’s Championship is widely viewed as recognition of sustained investment in domestic cricket, grassroots pathways and high-performance programmes over the past decade. Regular competition against top-tier nations is expected to sharpen tactical awareness, improve fitness benchmarks and raise overall standards within the squad.
As they prepare to take the field in New Zealand, expectations are grounded yet ambitious. The focus will be on competing fearlessly, learning quickly, and laying foundations for long-term success rather than immediate results. For Nomvelo Sibanda and her teammates, this tour is more than just a series, it is a declaration that Zimbabwe Women are ready to claim their place on the global stage.
Zimbabwe Women Squad for New Zealand Tour 2026:
Nomvelo Sibanda (C), Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Loreen Tshuma, Josephine Nkomo, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Audrey Mazvishaya, Adel Zimunu, Precious Marange, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Loryn Phiri, Christabel Chatonzwa, Tendai Makusha
Zimbabwe Women vs New Zealand Women 2026 schedule:
1st T20I – 25th February: Seddon Park, Hamilton (11:45 PM)
2nd T20I – 27th February: Seddon Park, Hamilton (11:45 PM)
3rd T20I – 1st March: Seddon Park, Hamilton (6:45 AM)
1st ODI – 5th March: University Oval, Dunedin (03:30 AM)
2nd ODI – 8th March: University Oval, Dunedin (03:30 AM)
3rd ODI – 11th March: University Oval, Dunedin (03:30 AM)
