Zimbabwe Women are set for another demanding international assignment as they prepare to host West Indies Women in a six-match white-ball series in Harare. The tour will feature three ODIs followed by three T20Is, giving Zimbabwe another opportunity to test themselves against established opposition while continuing their development on the international stage.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) have announced a 16-member squad for the series, with Josephine Nkomo continuing to lead the side. The squad largely retains the group that recently featured in Zimbabwe’s T20I series against South Africa Women in Bulawayo.

Senior members retained for white-ball assignment

Nkomo will lead a squad that includes several experienced players, with Zimbabwe opting to maintain continuity after their recent engagements against South Africa. Nomvelo Sibanda, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa and Sharne Mayers are among the senior members retained for the upcoming assignment.

There are also changes to the group, with Loreen Tshuma unavailable because of injury. Meanwhile, Lorraine Pemhiwa and Lindokuhle Mabhera have been left out, with Chiedza Dhururu and Olinder Chare coming into the squad.

The selection also includes players assigned specifically to one format. Kudzai Chigora has been picked for the ODI matches only, while Francisca Chipare will be available exclusively for the T20I leg of the series.

Also READ: Zimbabwe announce historic multi-format series against West Indies

ODI Series part of ICC Women’s Championship

The three-match ODI series will carry additional importance as the games form part of the ICC Women’s Championship. All three matches will be played at Harare Sports Club, with the fixtures scheduled for September 24, 27 and 30. The teams will then switch to the shortest format, with the three T20Is scheduled for October 3, 5 and 7 at Takashinga Cricket Club.

For Zimbabwe, the series comes during an especially busy period in their international calendar. The team has already travelled to New Zealand and Pakistan for ICC Women’s Championship assignments before returning home to host South Africa Women in a five-match T20I series in Bulawayo. The arrival of West Indies Women provides Zimbabwe with another opportunity to gain valuable international experience. Having faced different opponents across a packed schedule, Zimbabwe will now look to build on that exposure against another established side.

The six-match series also gives the squad a chance to develop greater consistency across both white-ball formats. With the ODIs carrying Championship significance and the T20Is providing a separate challenge, Zimbabwe will have opportunities to assess their progress in different conditions and formats. The home series begins with the first ODI at Harare Sports Club on September 24, with Nkomo leading Zimbabwe into another important chapter of their international programme.

Zimbabwe white-ball squad for West Indies series: Josephine Nkomo (captain), Beloved Biza, Chiedza Dhururu, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Christina Mutasa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Loryn Phiri, Michelle Mavunga, Modester Mupachikwa, Nomvelo Sibanda, Nyasha Gwanzura, Olinder Chare, Sharne Mayers, Tendai Makusha, Kudzai Chigora (ODIs only), Francisca Chipare (T20Is only)

Also READ: Melbourne Stars sign England duo after Marizanne Kapp withdraws from WBBL|12

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.