Zimbabwe Women vs Vanuatu Women, ICCWT20_WCQ, Today Match Prediction 25 April 2024

ZIM-W vs VAN-W Match Prediction & Analysis

Ten teams will compete for two ICC Women's T20 World Cup places in the Global Qualifiers, which begin on April 25 in the UAE. Divided into two groups of five, the best two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, giving them a chance to compete in the prestigious tournament in Bangladesh later this year. Group B provides an opportunity for all teams apart from Ireland to make their first appearance in the Women's T20 World Cup. Vanuatu Women will clash with Zimbabwe Women in a Group B clash that is slated to take place on opening day at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

ZIM-W

VAN-W

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Zimbabwe Women Preview

Vanuatu are all set to make their debut appearance in the Qualifier and are the tournament's least-experienced team.  They clinched the sole spot from East Asia Pacific to qualify for the event.  Vanuatu have yet to face any of their group opponents in a T20I match, and their current ranking of 30th places them as the lowest-ranked team in the competition.

Rachel Andrew is definitely their most valuable asset. The opener has scored 337 in her last 10 games at an average of 37.4 and a strike rate of 103.69. 

You can also back Valenta Langiatu (251 runs in her last 10 games at 28 and a strike rate of 98) to provide some stablilty to the batting unit.

In the bowling unit, look out for Vanessa Vira. The 16-year-old spinner burst into the East Asia-Pacific scene, topping the wicket count during the event, and can be a handful on this surface.

Right-arm medium pacer Selina Solman has had a good run in recent times, bagging 21 wickets in 10 games at an economy of just 3.96.

Zimbabwe Women Predicted Playing XI:

Rachel Andrew, Valenta Langiatu, Nasimana Navaika, Selina Solman (c), Alvina Chilia, Leimauri Chilia, Maiyllise Carlot, Vicky Mansale, Gillian Chilia, Vanessa Vira, Mahina Tarimiala (wk)

Zimbabwe Women Actual Playing XI:

Audrey Mazvishaya, Loren Tshuma, Mary Anne Musonda, Modester Mupachikwa, Pelagia Mujaji, Precious Marange, Sharne Mayers, Josephine Nkomo, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Sibanda Nomvelo, Kellies Ndlovu

Vanuatu Women Preview

Zimbabwe, one of the two African nations in the Qualifiers, put on an excellent showing in the African qualifiers. They went undefeated throughout their campaign, qualifying with a comfortable win over Namibia and successfully chasing a modest target against tournament hosts Uganda.

Opener Modester Mupachikwa will be the team’s most important batter in the tournament. She was the leading run-getter in the Africa Region Qualifier, scoring 131 runs in 5 innings at an average of 43.66 and a strike rate of 78.

Following her closely was middle-order batter Mary-Anne Musonda, who amassed 108 runs in the tournament at an at average of 21.60 and a strike rate of 128.57.

At just 18 years old, Kelis Ndhlovu has already established herself as a key player for Zimbabwe. Her remarkable performance during the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2023, where she served as captain, brought her into the limelight. With two fifties and an impressive tally of 601 runs in 35 T20Is, this young left-handed batter has the capacity to emerge as the star player for Zimbabwe in the tournament.

New ball bowler Josephine Nkomo (9 wickets in her last 7 matches) and off-spinner Precious Marange (13 wickets in 5 matches in the Africa Region Qualifier) are the two bowlers we are backing to do well in this match.

Vanuatu Women Predicted Playing XI:

Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Sharne Mayers, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Mary-Anne Musonda (c) Kelis Ndhlovu, Pellagia Mujaji, Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange, Audrey Mazvishaya, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Francisca Chipare

Vanuatu Women Actual Playing XI:

Rachel Andrew, Valenta Langiatu, Selina Solman, Nasimana Navaika, Alvina Chilia , Maiyllise Carlot, Gillian Chilia, Vicky Mansale, Mahina Tarimiala, Vanessa Vira, Lamauri Chilia

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium isn’t easy to bat on. The ball doesn’t come on to the bat easily and tends to grip the surface. Slower bowlers and spinners will be quite a handful on this surface. Once dew sets in, batting will become easier in the second half.

The weather has started to improve in the UAE. The forecast suggests that the skies will be clear on the day of the match, and we should get a full game.

ZIM-W vs VAN-W Pitch Report

Five women’s T20I matches have been held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The average score batting first in these games is just 100. The highest total posted here so far is 118-6 by Zimbabwe Women. The team batting first should look to set a target of around 125-130 runs. 

Toss: To Bowl

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium is known to favor the teams batting second. Moreover, with the region being under the onslaught of heavy rain over the last week, the pitch is expected to be damp, which should prompt the team winning the toss to bowl first and take advantage of the conditions to take some early wickets.