Zimbabwe and Namibia Make Historic Leap to ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier

Zimbabwe and Namibia have made history by reaching the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier for the first time, a breakthrough moment for women’s cricket in Africa. Both nations secured their spots after winning semi-finals at the Africa Region Division One Qualifier in Namibia, a tournament that decided which African teams would move closer to a place on the world stage.

Zimbabwe earned their ticket by defeating Uganda in the first semi-final, eventually chasing down their target despite being under pressure at 86/4. They finished the job with 14 balls to spare. Namibia followed with a convincing eight-wicket win over Tanzania in the second semi-final, setting up an all-Southern Africa final on September 6.

Neither Zimbabwe nor Namibia has ever qualified for a Women’s World Cup in any format. Their progress to the global event is widely seen as a milestone, signaling the growth of women’s cricket across Africa. As one report noted, their qualification “marks a monumental milestone for women's cricket in Africa.”

The Global Qualifier will take place in Nepal from January 12 to February 2, 2026, at Kathmandu’s Lower and Upper Mulpani Cricket Stadiums. Ten teams will compete for the last four places at the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. The competition will be structured with two groups of five teams each, followed by a Super Six stage from which the top four will advance to the World Cup.

Zimbabwe and Namibia will now join Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, Thailand, Nepal, and the USA, who have already booked their places. Three more teams are yet to be decided through Europe and East Asia-Pacific regional qualifiers.

The stakes are particularly high because the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup will be the largest in the tournament’s history, expanding to 12 teams from 10 in previous editions. Defending champions New Zealand, who defeated South Africa in the 2024 final in Dubai, will aim to retain their title. England will host the tournament from June 12 to July 5, 2026, with matches spread across iconic venues including Edgbaston, The Oval, Old Trafford, Headingley, Hampshire Bowl, Bristol County Ground, and Lord’s.

For African women’s cricket, the impact of Zimbabwe and Namibia’s qualification goes beyond the scoreboard. Their rise is the result of years of incremental progress, from Division Two tournaments in Botswana to the Division One battles in Namibia. The ICC’s tiered qualification structure has opened pathways for emerging nations, ensuring that growth in cricket is no longer restricted to established countries.

The achievement also comes at a time when the ICC is pushing for further inclusivity, having already announced plans to expand the Women’s T20 World Cup to 16 teams by 2030. This reflects the sport’s rapid global growth and the rising recognition of women’s cricket as a major part of the international game.

In the short term, Zimbabwe and Namibia will turn their focus to the Africa regional final on September 6. While both have already sealed their spots in Nepal, the final offers a chance to underline their credentials before stepping onto a much bigger stage.