Zimbabwe Under-19 women’s team is competing for the first time at the Nigeria Invitational WT20I. The team will play several matches in the round robin stage before potential semi-final qualification. The tournament highlights youth development and growth of women’s cricket in Africa.
Zimbabwe Cricket has sent a women’s Under-19 team to compete at the fifth edition of the Nigeria Invitational WT20I, which begins today and runs until March 28 at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval.
This marks the first time Zimbabwe, along with South Africa, will participate in the tournament, which is now also known as the Patricia Kambarami Cup.
Tournament organisers confirmed the new identity of the competition, highlighting the inclusion of new teams. “For the first time ever, South Africa Women Under-19 cricket team and Zimbabwe Women Under-19 cricket team join the race, bringing fresh energy, fierce competition and the next generation of stars to the tournament,” the Nigerian Cricket Federation said.
Advertisement
Zimbabwe will be led by captain Buhlebenkosi Maposa, who is the sister of Chevrons player Tinotenda Maposa and Tuskers all-rounder Tawanda Maposa.
The 14-member squad includes players with senior national team experience such as Beloved Biza, Christina Mutasa and Lorraine Pemhiwa.
Zimbabwe Under-19 women are scheduled to open their campaign with a match against hosts Nigeria this afternoon. They will then face Rwanda on Saturday as part of the round robin stage.
Following a three-day break, Zimbabwe will take on fellow debutants South Africa on Tuesday before concluding their group matches against Ghana on Wednesday afternoon.
The tournament format will see the top four teams progress to the semi-finals, where first place will face fourth and second will play third on Friday. The third-place play-off and final are scheduled for Saturday, March 28, with matches set to be played in the morning and afternoon.
Meanwhile, domestic cricket continues in Bulawayo this weekend with several fixtures lined up. In the First League, Queens Sports Club 1 will face Amakhosi Cricket Club 2 on Saturday at the Old Mutual Academy of Cricket Excellence.
On Sunday, Bulawayo Athletic Club 1 will take on Wholesale Beef Bulls at the same venue. In the Second League, NUST will play Champions Cricket Club at Milton High School on Saturday, with two more matches scheduled for Sunday at Emakhandeni and Milton High School.
The Zimbabwe U-19 Women cricket team, Nigeria Invitational WT20I, Patricia Kambarami Cup, youth cricket development, women’s cricket Africa, Zimbabwe cricket squad, Lagos cricket tournament, Under-19 competition, African cricket fixtures, and international youth tournaments highlight the growing focus on women’s cricket and emerging talent in the region.
