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IN October, Mary-Anne Musonda not only led Zimbabwe in their first-ever ODI, but also became the first woman from the country to make a century in the format. 

This month, she will lead her team as they play hosts for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which begins in Harare tomorrow.  

It has been an exciting few months for Zimbabwe women’s cricket, and the team are keen to showcase their ambitions on the biggest stages of the global game. 

They will be joined by eight other teams in the Qualifier that shapes what the top tier of global women’s cricket looks like over the next few years. 

This Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier carries a significance beyond an appearance in a single tournament. 

There are no knock-outs in the tournament, so apart from the bragging rights that come from finishing with most points, there are two main ‘carrots’ for the teams.

First, three teams will join hosts New Zealand, along with Australia, England, South Africa and India at the eight-team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in February-March 2022.

Second, five best teams from the qualifier will join Australia, England, South Africa, India and New Zealand in a 10-team ICC Women’s Championship for the next three-year cycle. 

The Women’s Championship, which has completed two cycles so far, requires every team to play the other in three ODIs. 

This ensures that the women’s teams around the world have a fixed schedule. Developing teams are assured of matches against top sides.

Since its introduction in 2014, the Women’s Championship has been credited by several top cricketers for contributing towards an improvement in the standards of the international game as well as the growth of women’s cricket in these countries. 

Nine teams are set to feature in the tournament. Unfortunately, Papua New Guinea, who were to take part, were forced to pull out following a COVID outbreak in the camp.

Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka are in the qualifier after finishing outside the top four in the ICC Women’s Championship 2017-20; they were fifth, seventh and eighth. 

Bangladesh and Ireland are in the qualifier by virtue of their ODI status. Netherlands (Europe), USA (Americas), Zimbabwe (Africa) and Thailand (Asia) won their place in the tournament during the regional qualifying tournaments. 

Pakistan go into the tournament as one of the favourites. 

They narrowly missed out on finishing inside the top four on the Women’s Championship, after they had to share points with India.

 Although their regular skipper Bismah Maroof is on maternity leave, under Javeria Khan they have a squad that is a good mix of youth and experience. They have also had a relatively busy year, getting in plenty of domestic and international games.

West Indies, the former T20 World Cup champions of 2016, have seen their one-day game drop off a bit over the past few years. Yet, they are the top seeds in the tournament and remain a force to be reckoned with. 

They are in fine form with many of their stars in good touch. 

Bangladesh have dominated qualifying tournaments in recent times, and have been World Cup regulars over the past few events. Their opening-day game against Pakistan will be one of the big clashes of the group stage.

Like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, who have also been World Cup regulars, come into the tournament low on game time, but are still expected to be a handful on the Zimbabwe tracks.

Thailand are in a good position to challenge the World Cup regulars. They made a splash at the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, even coming close to a win against Pakistan before rain intervened.

Ireland will be hurting from missing out on the 2020 tournament. They come into the qualifier well prepared, having played ODIs in Zimbabwe last month. 

Zimbabwe will be without senior batter Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano but have the advantage of being hosts and have enjoyed some game time in recent months as well.

Netherlands, who welcome back the prolific Sterre Kalis following strong performances in England’s domestic structure, will be looking to shake up the tournament, while a young USA side are reaping the rewards of new investment and a development structure. Both of them will be tested against quality opposition.  

The teams taking part have been divided into two groups as follows:

Group A: West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands 

Group B: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Zimbabwe, USA – ICC