Fans will be out in force at Kirtipur as the hosts, Nepal, take on Zimbabwe in a clash between two sides desperate to break their ducks in Group B of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026. Zimbabwe has had a tough run, losing all three of their opening matches and sitting at the bottom of the pile. Nepal has played two and lost two, but with games in hand and the massive advantage of a vocal home crowd, they still harbor outside hopes of a turnaround.
Squads:
Nepal Women’s Cricket Team
Bindu Rawal, Rajmati Airee, Samjhana Khadka, Indu Barma, Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar, Puja Mahato, Rubina Chhetry, Roma Thapa, Rubi Poddar, Ishwori Bist, Manisha Upadhayay, Riya Sharma, Sabnam Rai, Sita Rana Magar
Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket Team
Adel Zimunu, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Nyasha Gwanzura, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Beloved Biza, Christabel Chatonzwa, Josephine Nkomo, Kelis Ndhlovu, Chiedza Dhururu, Modester Mupachikwa, Francisca Chipare, Kudzai Chigora, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Loreen Tshuma, Nomvelo Sibanda
Players to watch out:
Bindu Rawal
Bindu has been the most consistent performer for the host nation, Nepal, often fighting hard at the top of the order. She currently leads the run-scoring charts for her team with 62 runs, and the best of 44, averaging 31, showing great resilience against a high-quality Thailand bowling attack. Her ability to negotiate the new ball has been crucial, even as the rest of the batting order has struggled to find its footing.
Rubina Chhetry
The veteran all-rounder remains a massive threat for Nepal, particularly with her aggressive approach to the game. She showed her power-hitting capabilities by striking two massive sixes in a single cameo, maintaining a strike rate of 170.00. On the bowling front, she has also been effective, notably picking up 2 for 21 and has been of the wicket takers for Nepal in this tournament so far.
Modester Mupachikwa
Modester is currently the leading run-scorer for Zimbabwe in this qualifier, providing much-needed stability to their batting card. She has totaled 78 runs across three matches, playing an anchor role with an average of 39. While her strike rate sits at 80, her presence at the crease has been essential in ensuring Zimbabwe bats through their overs in difficult conditions.
Christabel Chatonzwa
Christabel has been the standout performer with the ball for Zimbabwe, leading their wicket-taking charts with 5 scalps so far. She dismantled the Netherlands batting lineup picking up best figures of 5 for 22 also standing out as the only bowler to pick up a fifer in the tournament so far. She has an average of 10.80 and an economy rate of 5.88. Zimbabwe will rely a lot on Chatonzwa’s bowling as they proceed ahead into the tournament.
Pitch:
Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground provides consistent bounce on turf, helping pacers upfront and spinners as wear sets in, making it bowler friendly. T20 stats across 39 games average 160 first innings, with 21 batting-first wins. Boundaries at 60-86m demand precision.
Weather:
Expect cloudy conditions with a high of 17°C and a slightly warmer overnight low of 7°C. There is a 10% chance of rain throughout the day and night. The humidity will be 50%, with a light 4 mph wind from the west and a low UV index of 1.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Christabel Chatonzwa, Josephine Nkomo, Modester Mupachikwa, Loreen Tshuma, Nomvelo Sibanda, Bindu Rawal, Samjhana Khadka, Indu Barma, Rubina Chhetry, Sita Rana Magar
Match Details:
Date – January 24, 2025
Time – 12:45 PM IST
Venue – Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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