Match 1: Kenya vs Zimbabwe | Squads | Players to watch | Fantasy Playing XI

The ticket to the global Qualifier is at stake as Kenya and Zimbabwe gear up to face off in the curtain-raiser of the Division 1 International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup Africa Regional Qualifier. The game will be played at the Entebbe Cricket Oval, Uganda, on the 9th of December, 2023, at 12:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

Squads:

Kenya – Esther Wachira (C), Queentor Abel, Josephine Abwom, Mercy Ahono, Lavendah Idambo, Melvin Khagoitsa, Kreeshna Mehta, Charity Muthoni (WK), Mary Mwangi (WK), Jemimah Ndanu, Flavia Odhiambo, Kelvia Ogola, Judith Ogolla, Venasa Ooko

Zimbabwe – Mary-Anne Musonda (C), Modester Mupachikwa, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Ashley Ndiraya, Kelis Ndhlovu, Josephine Nkomo, Chiyedza Dhururu, Loreen Tshuma, Francisca Chipare, Precious Marange, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Nomvelo Sibanda, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nyasha Gwanzura

Players to watch out:

Queentor Abel

The 26-year-old all-rounder, in 44 T20I appearances, has amassed 1024 runs, with the highest being 109, and has picked up 59 wickets, with the best figures of 5/5. Queentor was sensational in the Africa Division 2 Qualifier, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 238 runs and the top wicket-taker with 13 wickets in 5 games. She’ll be relied upon to step up for the side once again.

Lavendah Idambo

The 18-year-old pacer, in 47 T20I outings, has picked up 43 wickets, averaging 14.74, maintaining an economy rate of 4.51, and registering the best figures of 4/14. Averaging 4.36, Lavendah picked up 11 wickets from 5 outings in the September qualifier, and she’ll be expected to once again spearhead the team’s bowling attack and deliver quality performances.

Also Read: All You Need To Know about Kwibuka Women's T20I Tournament 2024

Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano

The 31-year-old batter, in 35 T20I outings, has amassed 689 runs, with the highest being 80, at an average of 26.53 and a strike rate of 107.83. In the lead-up to the competition, in a T20 series against South Africa Emerging, Chipo had a bittersweet series, registering a best of 42* while also failing in four outings where she couldn’t go past single-digit scores. She’ll be backed to capitalize on the 37-run finish she had.

Nomvelo Sibanda

The 27-year-old left-arm pacer, averaging 12.27, has scalped 40 wickets from 32 T20I outings, maintaining an economy rate of 4.91, with the best being 5/14. In the series against South Africa Emerging, Nomvelo was economical in 2 of her 3 outings but only managed to take a couple of wickets. The team will be hopeful of her returning to her wicket-taking best.

Pitch:

With the Entebbe wicket being on the slower side, it has not been easy for batting, and a modest average score at the venue suggests the same. Bowlers, especially spinners, dictate the proceedings of the game as the ball grips and turns.

Weather:

There’s rain forecasted on the radar, but it’ll only cause brief delays if any and we should have a complete game of cricket. The temperature is expected to be around 24°C, with light winds and a humidity level of 75%.

Fantasy playing XI:

Modester Mupachikwa, Mary-Anne Musonda, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Flavia Odhiambo, Queentor Abel, Esther Wachira, Venasa Ooko, Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange, Lavendah Idambo, Nomvelo Sibanda