Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has hailed the International Cricket Council for awarding Zimbabwe the Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifiers to be staged in November.
The qualifiers were originally meant to be hosted by Sri Lanka in July 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced a postponement of the event as well as the main World Cup event in New Zealand.
The 10-team global tournament, which is scheduled for November to December, will decide the remaining three participants for the 50-over 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
The same event will also determine two qualifiers for the next edition of the ICC Women’s Championship.
Teams that will participate in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier are Bangladesh, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, the United States of America and Zimbabwe.
“This development dovetails perfectly with your (ZC)‘Visit Zimbabwe’ campaign launched in October last year, in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, by President Mnangagwa.
The participation of all these teams in Zimbabwe will certainly market the country as a premier tourist destination as well as showcase Zimbabwe’s ability to host an event of this magnitude notwithstanding the Covid-19 environment. To the ICC, the SRC extends its appreciation for the vote of confidence in Zimbabwe Cricket,” the SRC said in a statement.
ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said: “Firstly, I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the ICC board for their magnanimous gesture in allowing us the privilege of hosting the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021. On our part, we will leave no stone unturned to ensure this prestigious global event stands out as a unique event that celebrates Zimbabwe in all its magnificent splendor, richness, vibrancy, diversity and glory.
“I believe being granted the right to host this tournament is a vote of confidence in what we as ZC are doing and what we are hoping to do. You can be rest assured we will not disappoint. We will not disappoint the nation of Zimbabwe and we will not disappoint the game of cricket.”
ICC head of events Chris Tetley said the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier is an extremely important event in their calendar, as it not only provides teams with a chance to qualify for the World Cup, but also determines the final two participants in the next edition of the ICC Women’s Championship.
“I’m sure Harare will be witness to some keenly contested matches. I thank Zimbabwe Cricket for agreeing to host the tournament and wish teams all the best in their preparations for this important event.” — @innocentskizoe
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