Three wins down, two to go: Zimbabwe U19 Women chase World Cup ticket

Zimbabwe Under-19 Women have turned their ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier campaign into a perfect winning run, but the biggest challenge is only beginning.

Playing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the young Chevrons have won all three of their group matches, defeating Rwanda by 51 runs, Kenya by 79 runs and Namibia by five wickets. The results have taken Zimbabwe into the semi-finals with a 100 percent record and a growing belief that a place at the 2027 World Cup is within reach.

Zimbabwe’s opening assignment against Rwanda immediately produced a statement of intent. The young Chevrons posted 139 for seven before their bowling attack completed the job, dismissing Rwanda for 88 to secure a 51-run victory.

It was the perfect way to begin a tournament in which every match carries significance. Zimbabwe had shown that they could post a competitive total and then defend it with discipline, giving the team early momentum.

That momentum continued against Kenya.

Zimbabwe again batted first and finished on 128 for seven from their 20 overs. Beloved Biza was the leading contributor with the bat, scoring 40 from 38 deliveries and striking five fours.

Captain Lorraine Pemhiwa added 17 from 19 balls, while Naomi Mhlekwa remained unbeaten on 17 from 22 deliveries as Zimbabwe reached a defendable total.

What followed was one of Zimbabwe’s most impressive bowling performances of the competition.

Kenya were unable to build a partnership and were eventually bowled out for only 49 in 15.1 overs. Zimbabwe won by 79 runs, moving to two victories from two matches.

Tadiwanashe Garutsa led the bowling attack with three wickets for nine runs from four overs. Biza followed her batting contribution with two wickets for only one run from 1.1 overs, while Tawananyasha Zvomarima claimed two wickets for seven runs from three overs, including a maiden.

Biza’s all-round performance earned her the Player of the Match award and highlighted the depth available within the Zimbabwe squad.

With qualification hopes firmly in their hands, Zimbabwe went into the final group game against Namibia looking to finish the first stage unbeaten.

Namibia batted first and managed to reach 86 before being bowled out in 18.2 overs. Zimbabwe’s bowlers once again maintained control, refusing to allow Namibia to establish the kind of total that could put serious pressure on the chase.

Ally Kambonde carried much of Namibia’s innings, finishing unbeaten on 45 from 43 balls with six fours. Zanelle Steyn added 17, but wickets continued to fall around them.

Buhlebenkosi Maphosa was Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker with three for 18, while Felicity Mpofu and Salem Museka picked up two wickets each.

Zimbabwe needed 87 for victory.

The chase began with an early setback when captain Pemhiwa was dismissed, but the young Chevrons did not panic. Biza once again provided attacking intent, scoring 19 from nine deliveries.

The responsibility then shifted to Garutsa, who produced a calm unbeaten 31 from 31 balls. Her innings helped Zimbabwe reach 87 for five in only 12.4 overs and complete another victory.

Five wickets remained, but more importantly, Zimbabwe had completed a perfect group-stage campaign.

The young Chevrons finished with three wins from three matches and demonstrated a remarkable level of consistency. Their bowling attack restricted every opponent to a modest total, while the batting unit repeatedly found enough runs to either defend or chase successfully.

The campaign has also produced several individual performances worth noting.

Biza has been one of Zimbabwe’s most influential players, making important contributions with both bat and ball. Garutsa has also shown her versatility, taking three wickets against Kenya before playing the match-winning unbeaten innings against Namibia.

Maphosa, Mpofu, Museka and Zvomarima have also contributed with the ball, giving Zimbabwe a bowling unit capable of applying pressure throughout an innings.

But with the group stage complete, none of that guarantees success in the semi-finals.

Zimbabwe will now face Uganda, knowing that victory will take them into the final of the Africa Qualifier. Rwanda and Nigeria will contest the other semi-final, with both matches carrying enormous importance.

For Zimbabwe, the equation is simple: win the semi-final, reach the final and then win one more match to secure the ticket to the global tournament.

The reward is a place at the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal.

That opportunity would represent a major achievement for a young Zimbabwean side that has so far handled the pressure of the qualifier exceptionally well.

The team has already shown resilience. Against Namibia, for example, an early dismissal of the captain did not derail the chase. Against Kenya, the batters set the platform before the bowlers completely took control.

Those performances have created a team that does not appear dependent on one individual.

Now, however, the margin for error becomes much smaller.

The semi-final against Uganda will demand concentration from the first ball. Zimbabwe cannot afford to rely on their group-stage record, because the knockout stage presents a completely different challenge.

One bad performance could bring the World Cup dream to an end.

But the young Chevrons have earned the right to approach the semi-final with confidence.

They have beaten Rwanda.

They have beaten Kenya.

They have beaten Namibia.

They have done it with strong batting, disciplined bowling and contributions from different players at important moments.

Three wins have taken Zimbabwe to the final four.

Two more victories could take them all the way to the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The road to Bangladesh and Nepal is now getting shorter, but the toughest steps remain.

Zimbabwe have been perfect so far.

Now they must finish the job.