THE Zimbabwe senior women’s team are looking to get their campaign in the International Cricket Council Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament on a positive start when they face China in their opening match tomorrow.

The tournament is being hosted in Thailand.

The match, to be played at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground in Bangkok, is scheduled to start at 0845 hours local time.

Zimbabwe team manager Caroline Nyamande is confident her girls will deliver and set a marker for the rest of the tournament.

“Although we have played China and beat them before, we will not take them for granted. But all the players are raring to go and are really geared up for this game and the rest of our qualifier matches,” she said.

After playing China on the opening day, Zimbabwe will face Netherlands on Sunday before rounding up their Group B action against Ireland next Tuesday.

Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Thailand make up Group A of the eight-team tournament.

The top two sides from each group will make it to the trophy semi-finals, while the bottom two from each group will play in the shield semi-finals.

The finals are on December 5.

The two trophy finalists will join defending champions Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies at the 2016 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 finals, which will be played next year alongside the men’s tournament in India from March 11 to April 3.

Nyamande sees Zimbabwe making it to the trophy finals and automatically qualifying for the tournament proper.

“We do have a high chance of coming out as one of the top two teams,” she said.

“We have played well in the warm-up games and what is just needed is for us to apply our skills well.

“We have had good preparations, including touring South Africa, while the icing on the cake was the Bangladesh warm-up games.

“All players are raring to go and they are quite geared up. We want it so bad.”

Zimbabwe squad:
Chipo Mugeri (captain), Christabel Chatonzwa, Tasmeen Granger, Sharne Mayers, Precious Marange, Audrey Mazvishaya, Thandakwenkosi Mlilo, Pellagia Mujaji, Modester Mupachikwa, Mary-Anne Musonda, Nomatter Mutasa, Josephine Nkomo, Nonhlanhla Nyathi and Loreen Tshuma –

Sports Reporter/Zimcricket

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