In a landmark development for African women's cricket, Zimbabwe and Namibia have achieved unprecedented success by securing their spots in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, scheduled for early 2024 in Nepal.
Historic Qualification Journey
Zimbabwe demonstrated their prowess by defeating Uganda with a five-wicket victory in the Africa Region Division One Qualifier's first semi-final. Despite facing challenges at 86/4 in the 16th over, the team showed remarkable resilience to secure the win with 14 balls remaining.
Namibia, continuing its trajectory of national achievements, secured their qualification by defeating Tanzania by eight wickets in the second semi-final. The two nations are set to face each other in the regional final at the Namibia Cricket Ground on September 6.
Global Qualifier Format and Participants
The qualifying teams join an impressive roster including Bangladesh, Ireland, Thailand, Nepal, and the United States for the global qualifying tournament. Three remaining spots are still to be determined - two from Europe and one from the East Asia-Pacific region.
Tournament Structure
- Duration: January 12 to February 2, 2024
- Location: Lower and Upper Mulpani Cricket Stadiums, Kathmandu
- Format: Ten teams in two groups of five
- Progression: Top six teams advance to Super Six stage
Expanded World Cup Format
The 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in England will feature an expanded format with 12 teams, up from the previous ten-team structure. This expansion represents significant progress in promoting inclusivity and development in women's cricket globally.
This qualification marks a pivotal moment in the development of women's cricket in Africa, with both nations reaching this stage for the first time in any format of the World Cup.
