The Zimbabwe women’s cricket team had been scheduled to leave for Ireland on July 16 evening for a five-match white-ball tour. The tour features three T20 Internationals in Dublin on July 20, 22, and 23, followed by two One-Day Internationals in Belfast on July 26 and 28.
Experienced batter Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano will lead a 15-member Zimbabwe Women’s squad. A key figure in the national line-up, Mugeri-Tiripano has consistently delivered with the bat, ranking as Zimbabwe’s second-highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals and third in One-Day Internationals. Known for her powerful hitting, she boasts an impressive T20I strike rate of nearly 110, along with a solid ODI batting average close to 38.
The touring squad to Ireland also features seasoned wicketkeeper-batter Modester Mupachikwa. A pivotal player in Zimbabwe’s limited-overs setup, Mupachikwa is the nation’s leading run-scorer in both T20 Internationals and One-Day Internationals, having amassed 1,350 runs in the shortest format alone. Behind the stumps, she has proven equally valuable, with 15 dismissals in ODIs and 37 in T20Is, including 11 stumpings. Her dual contributions with the bat and gloves make her a key asset for the Ireland series.
The visitors have also included young left-arm spinner Kelis Ndhlovu in the squad travelling to Ireland. The 19-year-old has impressed in her short career, claiming 16 wickets in 11 One-Day Internationals, including a five-wicket haul, which makes her Zimbabwe’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format. In T20 Internationals, she has taken 43 wickets and maintained an economy rate of under six runs per over, underlining her control and consistency. A useful contributor with the bat, Ndhlovu has showcased her lower-order potential with two half-centuries in T20Is, establishing herself as a valuable all-rounder for the Lady Chevrons.
Left-arm pacer Nomvelo Sibanda is also added to the squad. The left-arm pacer is essential for the Zimbabwe bowling line-up, providing it the much-needed experience. With her tight length and line, she boasts an economy of under 5 in the white-ball formats. She has also taken 50 wickets in the shortest format for her national team.
The Zimbabwe team for the tour of Ireland includes a mix of experienced and young players, thus providing an essential balance. Young players Kelis Ndhlovu and Beloved Biza add fresh energy to the team as they look to prove themselves on the international stage.
The Ireland tour marks Zimbabwe Women’s first trip since their landmark visit to the United States in April and is part of their build-up to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Division One, scheduled to take place in Namibia from 31 August to 6 September.
The Lady Chevrons will aim to improve their record against the hosts. In seven T20I matches between the two teams, Ireland has won all seven. In seven ODIs, Zimbabwe has won just one, while Ireland has won five, with one match ending in a tie.
Zimbabwe Women’s Squad for Ireland Tour 2025:
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (C), Beloved Biza, Francesca Chipare, Kudzai Chigora, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Tendai Makusha, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Mitchel Mavunga, Modester Mupachikwa, Vimbai Mutungwindu, Kelis Ndhlovu, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma
