By Krishna Dua 
Zimbabwe Women Opt to Bowl First in 1st ODI vs UAE Women
Bulawayo, September 26, 2025 – In a tactical move that underscores their confidence in the seam-friendly conditions at Queens Sports Club, Zimbabwe Women captain Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano won the toss and elected to bowl first against the United Arab Emirates Women in the opening ODI of their historic four-match series on September 26, 2025. This bilateral encounter, marking UAE’s first-ever official women’s ODI tour of Zimbabwe, gets underway at 12:15 PM local time (7:45 AM IST), with both teams vying for crucial ICC Women’s Championship points in a series that could shape their qualification hopes for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Mugeri-Tiripano, leading a 14-member squad that blends experience with emerging talent, cited the overcast skies and fresh green pitch as key factors in her decision, stating post-toss, “The conditions are ideal for our bowlers to strike early; we’ll look to restrict them and chase under lights.” UAE captain Esha Oza, opting to bat, countered with optimism, “We’ve prepared for seam movement, and our top order is ready to set a strong platform.” As the series opener unfolds in Bulawayo—Zimbabwe’s cricket heartland with its 13,000-capacity stadium—the match promises a fascinating clash between Zimbabwe’s robust pace attack led by Modester Mupachikwa and UAE’s resilient batting anchored by Emily Thomas. With temperatures at a cool 22°C and 60% humidity, the conditions favor a low-scoring thriller, setting the tone for the remaining three ODIs on September 28, 30, and October 2. This preview dissects the toss decision, team compositions, key battles, pitch report, head-to-head history, and predictions for a series that could redefine women’s cricket in the African-Asian axis.
The United Arab Emirates Women tour of Zimbabwe 2025/26, announced by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) in July 2025, comprises four ODIs and three T20Is, a landmark bilateral series aimed at strengthening ties between two associate nations hungry for full-member status. For Zimbabwe, ranked 12th in the ICC Women’s ODI rankings with 18 points from 12 matches, this tour is a golden opportunity to build on their recent 2-1 series win over Vanuatu in August 2025 and their spirited performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier. UAE, sitting 20th with 4 points from 9 matches, sees this as a chance to gain experience against a higher-ranked opponent, building on their historic first-ever women’s ODI series qualification in the 2024 ACC Women’s Championship. The series, played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo—Zimbabwe’s traditional ODI venue with its lush outfield and balanced pitches—will award 10 points per win to the ICC Championship table, crucial for both teams’ 2027 World Cup aspirations. Mugeri-Tiripano’s toss win and bowling choice reflect Zimbabwe’s strategy to leverage home advantage, with the pitch expected to offer seam movement early before settling for a chase-friendly evening session. As the national anthems ring out, this opener isn’t just a match—it’s a milestone in women’s cricket’s global growth.
Toss Decision: Mugeri-Tiripano’s Bowling Gamble Pays Off
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss was a calculated risk that paid immediate dividends, exploiting the overcast conditions and fresh pitch at Queens Sports Club to give Zimbabwe an early stranglehold. The 35-year-old all-rounder, who captains with a blend of experience from 50 ODIs (1,200 runs, 40 wickets) and tactical acumen honed in the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medal run, cited the weather as her primary motivator. “The clouds are low, and the new ball will do something—our pacers are primed to strike,” Mugeri-Tiripano said post-toss, her words echoing Zimbabwe’s successful template in home ODIs, where bowling first has yielded a 65% win rate since 2020. The pitch, inspected by curator Clive Madande, featured fresh grass cover for the seamers, with temperatures at 22°C and 60% humidity promising swing for the first hour. UAE skipper Esha Oza, 28, with 30 ODIs under her belt (800 runs at 28 average), accepted the challenge graciously, “We’ll bat with intent and set a target—our middle order is ready for the fight.” The gamble? Genius—Mugeri-Tiripano’s call, a captain’s coup.
Team News: Zimbabwe’s Pace-Led Lineup vs UAE’s Balanced Attack
Zimbabwe Women, ranked 12th in ICC ODI standings, field a pace-led XI blending firepower with finesse, captained by Mugeri-Tiripano. Openers Modester Mupachikwa (30 ODIs, 800 runs at 28) and Sharne Mayers (20 ODIs, 500 runs) set the tone, with Ashley Ndiraya (25 ODIs, 600 runs) at 3. Mary-Anne Musonda (40 ODIs, 1,000 runs, 20 wickets) anchors at 4, Pellagia Mujaji (15 ODIs, 400 runs) at 5. All-rounder Chiedza Dhururu (wk, 30 ODIs, 700 runs, 15 dismissals) at 6, with lower order featuring Lovemore (spinner, 20 wickets) and Ndiraya (pace, 25 wickets). Pace trio: Mupachikwa (seam, 30 wickets at 25), Mayers (medium, 20 wickets), and Tiripano (swing, 40 wickets at 22). Spin: Musonda (off-spin, 20 wickets). Lineup? Lethal—Zimbabwe’s zest, pace’s punch.
UAE Women, 20th-ranked, counter with balanced attack, Esha Oza (c, 30 ODIs, 800 runs at 28) leading. Openers Emily Thomas (25 ODIs, 600 runs) and Kavisha Egodage (20 ODIs, 500 runs), Heena Hotchandani at 3 (15 ODIs, 400 runs). Indhuja Nandakumar (10 ODIs, 300 runs) at 4, Thilini Shashikala at 5 (20 ODIs, 500 runs). All-rounder Vaishnave Mahesh (wk, 15 ODIs, 300 runs, 10 dismissals) at 6. Lower: Mashoo Maqsood (spinner, 15 wickets), Katie Midwinter (pace, 10 wickets). Pace: Egodage (medium, 20 wickets), Hotchandani (seam, 15 wickets). Spin: Maqsood (leg-spin, 15 wickets). Attack? Assured—UAE’s unity, balance’s bite.
Pitch and Conditions: Bulawayo’s Seam Symphony
Queens Sports Club Bulawayo, September 26 12:15 PM local (7:45 AM IST), 13,000 capacity, lush outfield balanced pitches. Fresh green seam early (average first innings 250 ODIs), clouds 60% humidity 22°C swing first hour. Later? Dry, spinners 40% wickets (Musonda economy 4.5 home). Symphony? Seam’s—Zimbabwe’s home harmony.
Head-to-Head: Zimbabwe’s Edge in African Associates
Head-to-head Zimbabwe-UAE ODIs: 4 matches, Zimbabwe 3 wins, UAE 1—no ties. Last 2023 UAE tour Zimbabwe 2-1, Mugeri-Tiripano’s 50* decider. Average first innings 220, Zimbabwe chases 60% success. Edge? Emphatic—Zimbabwe’s zest, UAE’s underdog.
Key Battles: Mupachikwa’s Seam vs Thomas’s Stability, Musonda’s Spin vs Egodage’s Flair
Battles key: Modester Mupachikwa (30 wickets 25 average) vs Emily Thomas (600 runs 28 average)—seam swing vs steady opener, Mupachikwa’s 4/25 UAE 2023. Mary-Anne Musonda (20 wickets) vs Kavisha Egodage (500 runs)—off-spin vs flair, Musonda’s 3/30 UAE 2023.
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (40 wickets) vs Heena Hotchandani (400 runs)—swing vs strokeplay, Tiripano’s 5/28 UAE 2023. Key? Kinetic—battles’ blaze, series’ spark.
Predictions: Zimbabwe’s 50-Run Rout in Opener
Predictions: Zimbabwe 50-run win, Mupachikwa 3/30, Mugeri-Tiripano 50 batting. UAE 200 all out, chase falters. Rout? Realistic—Zimbabwe’s home, UAE’s away, opener’s omen.
Reflections: A Series of Surprises Awaits
September 26, 2025, reflections Zimbabwe-UAE opener—Mugeri-Tiripano’s bowl, teams’ tales, pitch’s promise, head’s history, battles’ bite, predictions’ pulse. Surprises? Series’—awaits Africa’s associates.