Zimbabwe Cricket has named a heavily reshuffled 15-player women’s squad for their upcoming white-ball tour of Pakistan, with ten new faces earning call-ups as the board commits to a long-term rebuilding strategy. Only five players from the previous tour to New Zealand in March have retained their places.
The tour itself carries historic weight; it marks the first-ever visit by Zimbabwe Women to Pakistan. All six matches will be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
Nomvelo Sibanda to Lead the Team after Musonda’s Retirement
Nomvelo Sibanda has been named interim captain to lead the inexperienced group. She takes over after long-serving skipper Mary-Anne Musonda announced her retirement from international cricket on April 27. Sibanda will be supported by experienced all-rounder Precious Marange, who brings stability to what is largely a fresh-faced group.
The transition reflects a deliberate shift in Zimbabwe’s cricketing direction. Technical director Steve Mangongo, who also heads the Women’s High Performance Programme, was candid about the reasoning behind the overhaul. He said the team took a hard and honest look at its position after failing to qualify for the Women’s T20 World Cup during the Nepal qualifiers.
The goal now is to expose younger talent to international cricket while broadening the overall player base ahead of the demands of Future Tours Programme cricket.
Full Squad Named with Several Experienced Players Left Out
Among the players to watch is Kelis Ndhlovu, a promising all-rounder who returns after recovering from a concussion she sustained during the New Zealand tour. Beloved Biza and Adel Zimunu are also flagged as emerging talents in the setup.
Several established names are absent. Josephine Nkomo and Nyasha Gwanzura are out through injury. Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano is unavailable for personal reasons. A further group — Modester Mupachikwa, Chiedza Dhururu, Loreen Tshuma, Loryn Phiri, and Tendai Makusha — all featured in New Zealand but have not been selected for Pakistan. Christabel Chatonzwa, Audrey Mazvishaya, and Passionate Monorwei have been named as non-travelling reserves.
The Full 15-Player Squad
Nomvelo Sibanda (captain), Beloved Biza, Olinder Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Melinda Kachingwe, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Precious Marange, Michelle Mavunga, Natasha Mtomba, Christina Mutasa, Vimbai Mutungwindu, Kelis Ndhlovu, Kelly Ndiraya, Runyararo Pasipanodya, and Adel Zimunu.
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ODI and T20I Schedule at National Bank Stadium Karachi
The Zimbabwe squad arrived in Pakistan in late April and began a preparatory training camp in Karachi ahead of the matches.
The six-match tour is split into two formats. The three ODIs, scheduled for May 3, 6, and 9, form part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025–2029 cycle, making them points-bearing matches with direct implications for future World Cup qualification. The three T20Is follow on May 12, 14, and 15.
Pakistan Women’s team manager Ayesha Ashar was on hand to welcome the visiting side upon their arrival in Karachi.
For Zimbabwe, the tour represents more than a series result. It is the opening chapter of a rebuilding phase the board views as necessary and overdue — one where young players get their first taste of international cricket under the pressure of a bilateral series that actually counts.
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