Ireland Women vs Zimbabwe Women: Rivalry Recap Ahead of 2025 Tour

As the Zimbabwe Women’s team gears up to tour Ireland in July 2025, fans are in for an exciting series between two developing yet highly competitive sides in women’s cricket. While the spotlight is currently on upcoming fixtures and key players, this tour also marks the continuation of a growing Ireland vs Zimbabwe Women rivalry—one shaped by tight contests, evolving squads, and increasing international recognition.

Let’s look back at the head-to-head encounters, notable matchups, and the history that frames this 2025 tour.

Head-to-Head Record: Balanced and Competitive

The rivalry between Ireland Women and Zimbabwe Women may be relatively young, but it has already featured closely contested battles in both T20I and ODI formats.

• First Encounter: The two sides first met in T20Is during Zimbabwe’s tour of Ireland in August 2021.
   
• T20I Head-to-Head (as of July 2025):
   
  • Matches Played: 6
     
  • Ireland Wins: 4
     
  • Zimbabwe Wins: 2
     
• ODI Head-to-Head:
   
  • Matches Played: 5
     
  • Ireland Wins: 3
     
  • Zimbabwe Wins: 2
     

While Ireland has held the upper hand overall, Zimbabwe has pulled off key victories and pushed Ireland deep in multiple games, showing their capability to challenge conditions away from home.

Notable Past Series – A Look Back

Zimbabwe Women Tour of Ireland 2021 (T20Is)

This marked the beginning of the rivalry on Irish soil. Ireland dominated the series 3-1, with Gaby Lewis scoring a historic century—the first ever by an Ireland Women’s player in a T20I. Zimbabwe showed promise, particularly through the performances of Josephine Nkomo and Modester Mupachikwa.

• Key Highlight: Gaby Lewis’s 105* in the 1st T20I
   
• Series Result: Ireland won 3-1
   

Ireland Tour of Zimbabwe 2022 (ODIs)

When Ireland toured Zimbabwe in late 2022, Zimbabwe hit back with a spirited showing. They took the 3-match ODI series to the final game, where Mary-Anne Musonda led from the front with a classy half-century.

• Standout Player: Nomvelo Sibanda with a five-wicket haul in the 2nd ODI
   
• Series Result: Ireland won 2-1, but Zimbabwe’s performance marked their growth
   

Emerging Rivalry in the Women's Game

This rivalry is especially significant for women’s cricket in emerging nations. Unlike long-standing clashes like Australia vs England or India vs Pakistan, Ireland vs Zimbabwe represents the new face of the international game—teams that are developing infrastructure, nurturing talent, and pushing for spots in major ICC events.

Key Themes in Their Encounters:

• Even Matchups: Both teams have similar ICC rankings, creating naturally balanced contests
   
• All-Round Impact: Players like Nkomo, Prendergast, and Delany often contribute with both bat and ball
   
• Upsets & Momentum Shifts: Zimbabwe’s victories, particularly in lower-scoring games, show that the outcome is rarely predictable
   

What to Expect in 2025

With the 2025 series featuring three T20Is and two ODIs, both sides will aim to tip the rivalry further in their favour. Ireland’s home advantage and deeper domestic setup give them a slight edge, but Zimbabwe has shown that they’re more than capable of pulling off a win when it matters.

Players Likely to Shape the Series:

• Gaby Lewis (IRE) – In form and dangerous at the top
   
• Josephine Nkomo (ZIM) – A game-changer with the ball and a steady hand with the bat
   
• Orla Prendergast (IRE) – Consistent wicket-taker and reliable finisher
   
• Modester Mupachikwa (ZIM) – Key for Zimbabwe’s T20I starts
   

Where to Watch – Live Coverage

Fans in South Asia, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, can watch the full series live on tapmad.

Why watch on tapmad?

• Multi-device access
   
• HD streams + replays
   
• Coverage of niche and emerging cricket tours
   
• Affordable for all cricket fans

Final Thoughts

While this may not be a traditional rivalry in the sense of decades-long history, Ireland vs Zimbabwe Women has quickly become one of the most intriguing contests in women’s cricket. It reflects the grit, determination, and growth of two nations striving to earn their place among the elite.

As we head into the 2025 series, both teams will look to not just win matches but also shape the future of women’s cricket in their regions. If their past encounters are anything to go by, fans are in for a fiercely fought and highly competitive series.