The Sports Desk
Zimbabwe and Namibia have made significant strides in women’s cricket after confirming their slots at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2025 to be staged in Nepal early next year. It will determine the four sides that take places at the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, which will be the first Women’s T20 World Cup to have 12 teams.
Zimbabwe and Namibia both secured their spots on the back of victories at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier – Africa division one in Windhoek. Zimbabwe earned their trip with a win over Uganda in the first semi-final while Namibia defeated Tanzania in the second semi-final to book their place. The two teams will now meet in the regional final on September 6th.
This is especially historic as neither Zimbabwe nor Namibia have ever qualified for a women’s World Cup in any form. By entering in the global qualifier, they are joined with Bangladesh, Ireland, Thailand, Nepal and the USA who have already qualified. Three additional squads will qualify from the regional qualifiers, Europe and East Asia-Pacific.
The Global Qualifier in Nepal will have ten teams divided into two groups of five each. The Super Six stage will followed by final. The event is to be held from January 12-February 2, 2025 and both Lower Mulpani and Upper Mulpani cricket grounds in Kathmandu would be the venue for the matches.
With the Women’s T20 World Cup expanding to 12 teams in 2026, Zimbabwe and Namibia’s progression is indicative of the increasing quality of African women’s cricket. Now it’s up to both countries to take this momentum onto the world stage, and make a historic first-ever appearance at a World Cup a reality.
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