Zimbabwe set to compete in 2026-29 ICC Women’s Championship

The ICC Women’s Championship is set to expand from 10 to 11 teams for the 2026-29 edition, with Zimbabwe Women joining the competition. This expansion was confirmed by the ICC earlier this month to the relevant member boards. Zimbabwe will join the other Full Member teams, marking another step in the growth of women's cricket.

The ICC Women’s Championship, which serves as a direct qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s World Cup, was first introduced in 2014 as an 8-team competition. It initially featured Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. Australia won the first two editions, which provided a qualification route for the 2017 and 2022 Women’s World Cups.

In the ongoing 2022-25 cycle, the competition expanded to 10 teams with the addition of Ireland and Bangladesh. These teams compete in eight series, either at home or away, with the top five teams, along with hosts India, earning direct qualification for the 2025 World Cup. The remaining teams will have to compete in a qualifier against other high-ranking teams like Thailand and Scotland for the last two spots.

Zimbabwe, who gained Women’s ODI status in 2021, are currently ranked 14th in the Women’s ODI rankings, behind Associate teams such as Thailand, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Despite their lower ranking, Zimbabwe's inclusion is based on strategic and financial considerations, including their ability to meet the demands of hosting and touring as a Full Member. This decision ensures that all Full Member nations, except Afghanistan, who do not have a women’s team, will participate in the next cycle of the Women’s Championship.