Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE United Arab Emirates women’s cricket team are buzzing ahead of a first-ever One Day International series when they face Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday.
The tourists, led by captain Esha Oza, arrived at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport on Monday and will play four WODIs and two T20 Internationals, all at Queens. The trip is historic; it’s their first tour to Zimbabwe and their first WODI series since earning ODI status earlier this year.
Speaking during practice yesterday, Oza said the UAE are determined to seize the moment.
“We have prepared really well over the past couple of months in Dubai. It’s hot there, but we put in great effort, always out on the field for long hours, so we are ready for our first ODI series. We have played them a few times before (in T20Is), and they are a country that is ready to play us (associates). We are happy that they are giving us an opportunity to play against them. They are a good side; they play against many top sides, so we will learn a lot playing against them. We are really excited to play this series against them,” she said.
The 27-year-old batting all-rounder added that they will stick to their game plan and focus on the basics.
“Everyone is excited to come here and play some good cricket as well. Women’s ODIs is a big thing for us, and to get to play a series against a Full Member nation like Zimbabwe as our first ODI series is something which we are looking forward to. We just want to play good cricket, it’s our first series, we just need to stick to our basics and play good all-round cricket, good batting, bowling and fielding. We want to implement what we have been working on in the past few months,” Oza said.
Zimbabwe go into the series with confidence after winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Namibia earlier this month, a triumph that sealed their place at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 in Nepal.
The UAE matches also give the Lady Chevrons crucial game time ahead of their ICC Women’s Championship debut against New Zealand in early 2026, after the competition expanded from 10 to 11 teams late last year.
