Brief History of Zimbabwe Women’s National Cricket Team
The Zimbabwe women’s national cricket team represents Zimbabwe in international women’s cricket and operates under Zimbabwe Cricket, a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Historical highlights – Zimbabwe Women’s National Cricket Team
Zimbabwe’s women’s team made their international debut in 2006 at the ICC Africa Regional Qualifier for the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
In April 2021, the ICC granted permanent Test and One Day International (ODI) status to all full member women’s teams, solidifying Zimbabwe’s position in international women’s cricket.
Tournament Highlights – Zimbabwe Women’s National Cricket Team
African Games:
In 2023, the African Games were held in Ghana, marking the first time cricket was included in the event. Eight teams participated in the women’s tournament. Zimbabwe was placed in Group B alongside Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. They topped their group by winning all three matches and advanced to the knockouts. In the semi-final, Zimbabwe faced Nigeria and won by 5 wickets, qualifying for the final. In the gold medal match, they faced South Africa Emerging, and the match ended in a tie. However, Zimbabwe won the gold medal by emerging victorious in the Super Over.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier:
In 2013, Ireland hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. Zimbabwe was placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Thailand. Zimbabwe managed to win only one match out of their three group-stage matches, defeating Thailand. With that performance, they finished third in their group and couldn’t advance to the playoffs, ultimately finishing 6th in the tournament.
In 2015, Thailand hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. Zimbabwe was placed in Group B alongside Ireland, China, and the Netherlands. Zimbabwe won two matches and lost one out of their three group-stage matches, finishing second in their group and advancing to the semi-final. There, they faced Bangladesh and lost by 31 runs, finishing third overall in the tournament.
In 2022, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier was hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Zimbabwe was placed in Group B alongside Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and the hosts. Zimbabwe won two matches and lost one in their group stage matches, finishing at the top of their group. They advanced to the semi-final, where they lost to Ireland by 4 runs, finishing third overall in the tournament.
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates again hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. Zimbabwe was placed in Group B alongside Ireland, the hosts UAE, the Netherlands, and Vanuatu. Zimbabwe managed to win only one of their four group stage matches, finishing fourth in their group and failing to advance to the play-offs. They finished seventh overall in the tournament.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier:
In 2019, Zimbabwe hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier and was placed in Group A alongside Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Mozambique. Zimbabwe won all four of its group-stage matches, topping the group and advancing to the final. In the final, Zimbabwe defeated Namibia by 50 runs, securing a place in the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier.
In 2021, Botswana hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier. Zimbabwe was placed in Group A with Tanzania, Rwanda, hosts Botswana, Mozambique, and Eswatini. Zimbabwe won all five of its group-stage matches, topping the group and advancing to the semi-final, where they defeated Uganda by 14 runs. In the final, Zimbabwe faced Namibia and won by 13 runs, earning a spot in the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier.
In 2023, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier was hosted by Botswana. Zimbabwe was placed in Group A alongside Tanzania, Kenya, and Botswana. Zimbabwe won all three of its group stage matches, topping the group and advancing to the play-offs. In the semi-final, they faced Namibia and won by 86 runs. In the final against Uganda, Zimbabwe emerged victorious by 6 wickets.