Online Reporter
ALL-ROUNDER Kelis Ndhlovu has been included in the Lady Chevrons’ 14-player squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025, to be staged in Namibia from August 31 to September 6.
She was included in the squad just a day after being banned from bowling by the International Cricket Council.
On Wednesday, the ICC announced that the decision to ban, with immediate effect, Ndhlovu from bowling came after an independent assessment confirmed that the left-arm spinner uses an illegal bowling action.
Veteran batter Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano will lead the side, which features a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents as Zimbabwe seek to secure a place at next year’s Global Qualifier in Nepal – the final step towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Zimbabwe are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Namibia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, while Group B consists of Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda.
The Lady Chevrons will start their campaign against Namibia at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Sunday afternoon.
They will then face Sierra Leone the following morning at the same venue, before wrapping up their group fixtures with a clash against Nigeria on September 3 at the HP Oval in the Namibian capital.
The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals scheduled for September 4, with the two finalists not only battling for the trophy on September 6but also booking their tickets to the Global Qualifier in Nepal early next year.
Zimbabwe will look to draw inspiration from their impressive run in the last edition of the Africa Qualifier, held in Uganda in 2023, where they went unbeaten and defeated Uganda in the final to advance.
Head coach Walter Chawaguta said the team was focused and determined to build on that success.
“This tournament is of huge significance because it is our gateway to the Global Qualifier, which in turn gives us a chance to play at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026,” he said.
“Every game counts and we know what is at stake.”
He added that preparations had gone well, with the players responding positively in training.
“We have worked hard on all aspects of our game— from batting depth and bowling variations to fielding sharpness,” he said.
“The squad has a good balance of experience and youth, and we believe we are in a strong position to compete.”
Chawaguta, however, warned against complacency.
“It’s important for us to stay humble and grounded,” he said.
“We cannot afford to underestimate any opposition because in tournament cricket, one bad day can undo all your hard work.
“The key will be to remain consistent and play every match with the same intensity.”
ZIMBABWE SQUAD
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (Captain), Beloved Biza, Christabel Chatonzwa, Kudzai Chigora, Francisca Chipare, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Josephine Nkomo, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma, Adel Zimunu. —Sports Reporter/ZimCricket.
