Zimbabwe name Nkomo-led 14-member squad for ICC Emerging Nations Trophy debut
Synopsis
Zimbabwe have named a 14-member women's squad led by Josephine Nkomo for their first-ever ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy campaign in Ajman, UAE. The tournament, expanded from eight to ten teams and featuring Full Member nations for the first time, runs from 12 to 25 November — placing Zimbabwe in Group B alongside defending champions Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Netherlands.
Key Takeaways
Zimbabwe have named a 14-member women's squad for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy — their first-ever appearance at the event.
Josephine Nkomo will captain the side, supported by experienced players including Nomvelo Sibanda , Sharne Mayers , and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano .
Christina Mutasa is the sole new addition; Francisca Chipare and Kudzai Chigora miss out from the India tour squad.
The tournament runs from 12 to 25 November in Ajman, UAE , expanded from 8 to 10 teams and featuring Full Members for the first time.
Zimbabwe open their campaign against Bangladesh on 13 November at the Seven Districts Sports Club .
The final is set for 25 November at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground in Ajman.
Zimbabwe have announced a 14-member women's squad for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy, with Josephine Nkomo named captain for the side's first-ever appearance at the tournament, to be held in Ajman, UAE, from 12 to 25 November 2026. The squad was confirmed on 9 November, marking a historic milestone for women's cricket in Zimbabwe.
Squad Composition and Key Changes
Nkomo will be supported by a core of experienced campaigners, including Nomvelo Sibanda, Sharne Mayers, Modester Mupachikwa, and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano. The full squad also features Beloved Biza, Olinder Chare, Chiyedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Tendai Makusha, Michelle Mavunga, Christina Mutasa, Kelis Ndhlovu, and Loryn Phiri.
Compared to the squad that recently toured India, Francisca Chipare and bowler Kudzai Chigora have been left out of the selection. Christina Mutasa enters as the sole new addition to the group for this tournament.
How Zimbabwe Qualified and the Tournament's Expanded Format
Zimbabwe secured their place in the tournament after the ICC enlarged the field from eight to ten teams. This edition is also notable for being the first to include Full Member nations, with five of the ten participating sides holding Full Member status. Alongside Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are making their debuts at the event as Full Members. Associate nations Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, and hosts UAE complete the ten-team draw.
The expansion is part of the ICC's broader drive to strengthen the women's cricket pathway and ensure teams gain more regular international exposure across a wider range of opponents.
Zimbabwe's Group B Schedule
Zimbabwe have been placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan, Netherlands, and defending champions Thailand. Their campaign opens against Bangladesh at the Seven Districts Sports Club on 13 November. They face Thailand at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground on 15 November, before back-to-back fixtures against Pakistan on 16 November and Netherlands on 18 November.
Path to the Final
Group A features Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, and UAE. The top three sides from each group will advance to a Super Six stage, where they play the three qualifiers from the opposing group on 20, 22, and 23 November. The final is scheduled for 25 November at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground in Ajman. Zimbabwe's first-ever appearance at this stage of the women's global pathway places their young side at the centre of a genuinely competitive field.
Point of View
And the entry of Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, risks diluting the competitive balance for Associate nations that have used this event as their primary route to global exposure. For Zimbabwe women's cricket, the real test is whether a single tournament appearance translates into a sustained programme, or remains a one-off opportunity shaped more by administrative expansion than domestic investment.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will captain Zimbabwe at the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy?
Josephine Nkomo has been named captain of Zimbabwe's 14-member women's squad for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy in Ajman, UAE. It will be Zimbabwe's first-ever appearance at the tournament.
When and where is the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026?
The tournament runs from 12 to 25 November 2026 in Ajman, UAE. The final will be played at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground on 25 November.
Which teams are in Zimbabwe's group at the Emerging Nations Trophy?
Zimbabwe are drawn in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan, Netherlands, and defending champions Thailand. They open their campaign against Bangladesh on 13 November.
Why are Full Member nations featuring in the Emerging Nations Trophy for the first time?
The ICC expanded the tournament field from eight to ten teams and opened it to Full Member nations as part of its efforts to strengthen the women's cricket pathway and provide teams with more regular international playing exposure.
Who was dropped from Zimbabwe's squad compared to the India tour?
Francisca Chipare and bowler Kudzai Chigora, who were part of the squad that toured India, have been left out of the Emerging Nations Trophy selection. Christina Mutasa is the only new addition to the squad.
