Latest news with #Makoni
Canada News.Net
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Zimbabwe set to make historic debut in ICC Women's Championship during New Zealand tour
Harare [Zimbabwe], June 25 (ANI): Zimbabwe women's team will make their historic debut in the ICC Women's Championship and embark on their quest to qualify for the Women's ODI World Cup when they tour New Zealand for a white-ball series in February-March 2026. The landmark tour will see the Zimbabwe women's team square off against the White Ferns in three ODIs, scheduled for March 5, 8, and 11 next year at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin, marking their debut in the ICC Women's Championship. Before the ODIs, the two sides will compete in a three-match T20I series on February 25 and 27 and March 1 at Seddon Park in Hamilton, giving the tourists a valuable opportunity to acclimatise to New Zealand conditions ahead of their ICC Women's Championship debut. Zimbabwe's women's team were included in the coveted global competition for the first time following its expansion from 10 to 11 teams in November 2024. According to the ICC's Future Tours Programme, Zimbabwe women will travel to play New Zealand, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, while hosting South Africa Women, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland. 'It is a proud and exciting moment for us as Zimbabwe Women prepare to compete at the highest level of the global game. This is not only a testament to how far our women's cricket has come, but also a strong endorsement of our vision and investment in developing the women's game,' Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) managing director Givemore Makoni said in a statement by the board. Makoni added that making their debut in the ICC Women's Championship would inspire more girls and young women across Zimbabwe to take up the sport. 'Being part of such a prestigious competition provides our players with a platform to grow, compete and ultimately qualify for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup,' he said. 'The exposure to top-level cricket, including this inaugural tour to New Zealand, will accelerate our progress and strengthen our global competitiveness,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Zimbabwe to host Sri Lanka for white-ball series
Harare [Zimbabwe], June 26 (ANI): Zimbabwe will host Sri Lanka for a white-ball series, consisting of two ODIs and three T20Is, with Harare Sports Club being the sole venue for all the matches. The white-ball series will kick off with the two ODIs scheduled for August 29 and 31, followed by the T20I leg in early September, as per the ICC. The tour holds added significance for Zimbabwe, with the T20Is serving as crucial preparation ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, which Zimbabwe will host from September 19, to October 4. The regional final will determine the last two African spots for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe Cricket's Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, expressed optimism and excitement about the upcoming series. 'We are delighted to confirm Sri Lanka's visit to Zimbabwe for what we expect to be a thrilling and competitive series. Matches between our two nations have always produced entertaining cricket, and this tour comes at a crucial time for our team as we prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifying campaign,' said Makoni. The last time the two nations squared off against each other was in January 2024, when Sri Lanka reigned victorious 2-0 in the three-match ODI series at their home. The squads for the tour are yet to be named. Zimbabwe is gearing up to host the ICC World Test Champions, South Africa, for a two-Test series, followed by a tri-series against the Proteas and New Zealand. Sri Lanka on the other hand are featuring in their first assignment of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle at home against Bangladesh, and will compete in three ODIs and as many T20Is following the red-ball leg of the tour. Zimbabwe Men's fixtures against Sri Lanka:August 29 - 1st ODI August 31 - 2nd ODI September 3 - 1st T20I September 6 - 2nd T20I September 7 - 3rd T20I. (ANI)
