Zimbabwe to debut domestic Women’s T20 cricket tournament this weekend

In a massive boost for women’s cricket in the country, Zimbabwe Cricket is this weekend set to host a women’s domestic Twenty20 tournament at the Country Club in Harare.

Precious Marange inspired Zimbabwe to win over Kenya with a 71-run knock

Three teams – Flame Lilies, Petunias and Oleanders – will take part in the competition, scheduled for this Saturday the 8th, Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th of April 2017.

National team players who recently represented Zimbabwe at the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier event in Sri Lanka will be involved in the domestic T20 competition, alongside unknown packages who will get the opportunity to showcase their talents.

Ashley Ndiraya, Pellagia Mujaji, Audrey Mazvishaya and Josephine Nkomo are in the Flame Lilies team, while the Petunias will be banking on the experience of Modester Mupachikwa, Chipo Mugeri, Anesu Mushangwe and Nomvelo Sibanda.

With Precious Marange, Loreen Tshuma, Nomatter Mutasa and Nonhlanhla Nyathi featuring for the Oleanders, all the three teams are evenly balanced and, therefore, exciting and competitive matches are expected.

The T20 competition is part of Zimbabwe Cricket’s major plans to establish a strong domestic cricket structure for the women’s game.

The first match on Saturday will pit the Flame Lilies against the Petunias at 1000 hours, before the Flame Lilies face the Oleanders at 1300 hours.

Action will resume on Sunday with the Oleanders-Petunias match pencilled in for 1000 hours, while the afternoon fixture will see the Petunias clashing with the Flame Lilies.

On Monday, the Flame Lilies and Oleanders will meet in the morning match, before the Oleanders and Petunias face off in the afternoon game to bring the curtain down on the T20 tournament.