Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket have announced the national women’s team squad of 15 players for the six limited overs matches against Pakistan, which get underway at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
The two teams will meet in three 50 over fixtures and then the same number of Twenty20 Internationals. Dates for the 50 over matches, which are not One Day Internationals since Zimbabwean women do not have ODI status are 9, 12 and 14 February while the T20Is are scheduled for 17, 19 and 20 February. Pakistan women arrived in the country last Thursday from South Africa where they played three ODIs and same number of T20Is.
Mary-Anne Musonda captains a Zimbabwean team that is missing four senior players, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Nomatter Mutasa, Anesu Mushangwe and Sharne Mayers. Mugeri-Tiripano and Mutasa are both expecting, Mushangwe is in Australia while Mayers is in South Africa.
Both teams are using the matches to prepare for the International Cricket Council Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier to be staged in Sri Lanka from 3-19 July.
The Adam Chifo coached Zimbabwe have not faced any international opponents since May 2019 when they took part in the ICC Women’s Qualifier Africa held in Harare, a tournament they won but were not able to proceed to the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in Scotland after the country had its membership suspended by the world cricket governing body.
Meanwhile, a squad of 32 players is in camp in preparation for the senior men’s team series against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The players have been having net sessions at Old Hararians and will from tomorrow start playing practice matches that will be used to select the final squad to travel to the UAE. Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will meet in two Tests and three T20Is, with the matches to take place from 2 to 20 March.
Zimbabwe Women squad: Mary-Anne Musonda (captain), Ashley Ndiraya, Precious Marange, Pelajia Mujaji, Chiedza Dhururu, Modester Mupachikwa, Kellies Ndlovu, Tasmeen Granger, Esther Mbofana, Francesca Chipare, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Josephine Nkomo, Audrey Mazvishaya, Christabel Chatonzwa,
— @Mdawini_29
Online Reporter