Zimbabwe Women will host the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Women in a historic 4-match ODI series starting September 26 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. This is the first ODI series between these two teams, with UAE on debut, who have previously met only in T20Is, where they share an even head-to-head record of three wins each.
Squads:
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
United Arab Emirates Women’s Cricket Team
Rinitha Rajith, Siya Gokhale, Udeni Dona, Esha Oza, Lavanya Keny, Michelle Botha, Samaira Dharnidharka, Emily Thomas, Theertha Satish, Al Maseera, Athige Silva, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Mehak Thakur, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh
Players to watch out:
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, is a Zimbabwean all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. Known for her consistent performances with the bat, she has been a key player for Zimbabwe, particularly in T20Is since her debut in 2019. In ODIs, she has scored 516 runs in 15 innings with the highest score of an unbeaten 71 and five half-centuries. The team will count on her to lead the scoring.
Loreen Tshuma
All-rounder Loreen Tshuma bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. She has played 17 ODIs so far, scoring 211 runs in 17 outings at an average of 14.06 and a strike rate of 55.96, with a top score of 137. With the ball, she has taken 14 wickets at an average of 31.35 and an economy rate of 4.39, with best figures of 4/35. Her all-round abilities make her a vital cog in the XI.
Esha Oza
Esha Oza is an Indian-born cricketer who captains the United Arab Emirates women’s team. She is a right-handed batting all-rounder known for explosive stroke play and off-spin bowling. In T20Is, from 93 innings she has amassed 2558 runs at an average of 31.18 and a strike rate of 113.06, with the highest of 158*, while also striking 69 wickets from 76 innings. It will be watched if she can replicate this success in ODIs.
Michelle Botha
Michelle Botha is a South African-born cricketer who represents the United Arab Emirates women’s team as a left-arm orthodox spin bowling all-rounder. After moving to the UAE in 2021, she made a comeback to competitive cricket following a period of retirement during motherhood. In 7 T20Is she had added 48 runs and struck 12 wickets, numbers indicating her ability to lead the bowling attack.
Pitch:
The pitch at Bulawayo is generally known to be a balanced surface that offers something for both batters and bowlers. It tends to be fairly true, providing consistent bounce and pace, which helps stroke play, but it can assist seam bowlers with movement early on and spinners, with turn and grip, later in the game.
Weather:
The weather in Bulawayo will hover around 20°C with partly cloudy skies and about 59% humidity. The forecast indicates a mix of clouds and sun, with breezy mornings and a chance of a stray thunderstorm in the afternoon.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Esha Oza, Michelle Botha, Samaira Dharnidharka, Theertha Satish, Heena Hotchandani, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Nyasha Gwanzura, Chiedza Dhururu, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Loreen Tshuma, Nomvelo Sibanda
Match Details:
Date – September 26, 2025
Time – 12:45 PM IST
Venue – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Broadcast – TBC
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