What Happened
The New Zealand Women’s cricket team is set to host Zimbabwe Women in the opening match of their Twenty20 International (T20I) series on February 25, 2026, at Seddon Park in Hamilton. This match marks the beginning of a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match One Day International (ODI) series scheduled to commence in Dunedin on March 5, 2026. The New Zealand squad features uncapped players Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight, while experienced allrounder Suzie Bates and offspinner Eden have been ruled out due to injuries.
Why It Matters
This series is significant for both teams as New Zealand aims to leverage home advantage and recover from a recent 3-0 T20I series loss to Australia. Currently ranked 4th in the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings, New Zealand is expected to perform strongly against Zimbabwe, who are ranked 16th and have struggled in recent matches, losing their last five T20I games. The series presents an opportunity for New Zealand to regain momentum and for Zimbabwe to showcase their potential against a higher-ranked opponent.
What’s Next
Following the T20I series, both teams will transition to the ODI format, with the first match set for March 5 in Dunedin. Fans can catch the live broadcast of the T20I series on TVNZ 1 in New Zealand and ZBC TV in Zimbabwe, with streaming available on TVNZ+.
