Zim Women Set for ICC Championship Debut in 2026

Witness Runodada, Zim Now Reporter

The Zimbabwe Women’s cricket team is set to mark a historic chapter in its journey as it prepares to make its debut in the ICC Women’s Championship with a three-match ODI series against New Zealand Women in March 2026.

The matches will take place at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin, with fixtures scheduled for 5, 8, and 11 March.

This tour will not only mark Zimbabwe Women’s first appearance in the prestigious global competition but also represent a major milestone for the country’s burgeoning women’s cricket programme.

The series is part of the 2025–2029 cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship, which serves as the primary qualification pathway to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2029.

In the lead-up to the ODI series, Zimbabwe Women will play three T20 Internationals against New Zealand on 25 and 27 February and 1 March at Seddon Park in Hamilton. These matches will serve as crucial preparation, offering the team valuable exposure to New Zealand’s playing conditions before the more consequential ODI contests begin.

Zimbabwe was added to the ICC Women’s Championship in November 2024, following the competition’s expansion from 10 to 11 teams. Under the current format, each team plays eight three-match ODI series — four at home and four away.

Zimbabwe’s schedule includes overseas tours to New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, while they will host South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Ireland.

Givemore Makoni, Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, expressed pride in the team’s progress and their upcoming debut.

“It is a proud and exciting moment for us as Zimbabwe Women prepare to compete at the highest level of the global game,” he said. “This is not only a testament to how far our women’s cricket has come, but also a strong endorsement of our vision and investment in developing the women’s game.”

Makoni emphasized that participation in the ICC Women’s Championship would provide Zimbabwean players with invaluable experience while inspiring the next generation of female cricketers across the country.

“Being part of such a prestigious competition provides our players with a platform to grow, compete, and ultimately qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup,” he added.

“The exposure to top-level cricket, including this inaugural tour to New Zealand, will accelerate our progress and strengthen our global competitiveness.”