The stage is set at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare for the 2nd T20I between West Indies Women and Zimbabwe Women on October 05, 2026. The visitors enter as the strong favourites, powered by an explosive batting lineup and international pedigree, but the hosts have shown plenty of heart and fight throughout this tour. Zimbabwe will rely heavily on their key leaders to punch above their weight, while West Indies will look to execute seamlessly and sign off on a high note.
For Zimbabwe, top-order batter Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and leader in the bowling attack Nomvelo Sibanda hold the key to building steady momentum and making crucial early breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the West Indies bring game-changing firepower led by world-class captain Chinelle Henry, whose blistering record with both bat and ball makes her a constant threat. Alongside her, experienced leg-spinner Afy Fletcher provides control and critical breakthroughs in the middle overs to put pressure on the host’s batting lineup.
Squads:
Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket Team
Josephine Nkomo, Beloved Biza, Olinder Chare, Francisca Chipare, Chiedza Dhururu, Tendai Makusha, Michelle Mavunga, Sharne Mayers, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Christine Mutasa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda
West Indies Women’s Cricket Team
Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Zaida James
Players to watch out:
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
A mainstay in the Zimbabwean batting lineup, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano has accumulated 1,425 runs across 73 matches and 68 innings between 2019 and 2026. Operating with a healthy strike rate of 105.24 and an average of 25.00, she brings consistency and stability to the top order. Her record includes two half-centuries, the career-best score of 80, along with 168 boundaries and 8 sixes.
Nomvelo Sibanda
Nomvelo Sibanda remains one of Zimbabwe’s go-to bowling options, featuring in 68 WT20I matches and taking 56 wickets from 197 overs. Maintaining an economical rate of 5.81 and a bowling average of 20.46, she consistently applies pressure on opposition batters. Her career highlights feature a top spell of 5/14, backed by 15 maiden overs that highlight her control with the ball.
Chinelle Henry
Hayley Matthews stands as an elite all-rounder for West Indies, delivering top-tier performances with both bat and ball. Across 78 WT20I matches, she has piled up 700 runs at an average of 17.94 and a strike rate of 100.28, including a fifties, and the best score of 51*. On the bowling front, she leads from the front with 31 wickets at an average of 30.48, boasting an economy of 6.88 and best bowling figures of 3/26.
Afy Fletcher
A veteran leg-spinner for the West Indies, Afy Fletcher brings vast experience, having collected 106 wickets in 114 matches spanning 2008 to 2026. She maintains an impressive bowling average of 21.53 alongside an economy rate of 6.28 over 363.3 overs. Her career best figures of 5/13 reflect her capability to break key partnerships and turn matches in her team’s favor.
Pitch:
The pitch at Takashinga Sports Club in Highfield traditionally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, often starting dry and slightly slow. Fast bowlers can extract early movement and variable bounce with the new ball, while spinners gradually come into the game as the surface wears down and grips, making disciplined shot selection essential for batters through the middle overs.
Weather:
Harare is expected to be cloudy during the daytime with a high temperature of 17°C and a 20% chance of rain, alongside a southeast wind at 9 mph. Conditions will transition to clear with periodic clouds at night, dropping to a low temperature of 11°C with a 10% chance of rain and wind speed remaining around 9 mph from the southeast.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Josephine Nkomo, Beloved Biza, Olinder Chare, Francisca Chipare, Chiedza Dhururu, Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow
Match Details:
Date – October 05, 2026
Time – 3:30 PM IST
Venue – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Zimbabwe Cricket YouTube channel.
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