Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
LIMITED-OVERS cricket is set to make its highly anticipated return to Bulawayo this month as the Zimbabwe men’s team, the Chevrons, are scheduled to face Namibia in a three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series. The games will be held at Queens Sports Club, with the first match taking place on September 15.
Queens has exclusively hosted Test cricket since last December, with all five of Zimbabwe’s recent home Tests being played at the iconic venue. The upcoming T20I series will bring a welcome return to fast-paced, high-octane cricket for the local fans.
Both teams will be using the series as crucial preparation for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, which is set to be held in Harare from September 26 to October 4. The tournament will see eight teams — Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda — compete for two qualification spots.
Vumi Moyo, a seasoned cricket administrator, is urging local fans to come out in large numbers to support the teams.
“For a long time, we have called for white-ball cricket, and here we are,” Moyo told Zimpapers Sports Hub. “The battle of Africa continues and is coming back to Queens Sports Club. We are excited to share that we will be hosting Namibia . . . Let’s come out in numbers and support the team. There will be lots of music, pomp, and fanfare. Don’t forget, get the big hits, see you all at Queens Sports Club soon.”
The two sides have a storied history in T20I cricket, having faced each other 11 times. The Eagles of Namibia have the upper hand, having won seven of those encounters.
Their rivalry has intensified in recent years, with Namibia winning a five-match series in Bulawayo in 2022 by a margin of 3-2. The following year, they repeated the feat in a five-match series in Windhoek, winning 3-2 again.
Their last meeting was a crucial match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Qualifier, which Namibia won by seven wickets.
In related news, the Zimbabwe women’s national team, the Lady Chevrons, have already booked their ticket to next year’s ICC Women’s T20 Global Qualifier. This came after a hard-fought five-wicket victory over Uganda, a win that also secured them a place in the final of the regional tournament.
They are set to face Namibia in the final and will be aiming to complete a double, having defeated them by 32 runs in their opening game.
