The 1st ODI between Ireland Women and Zimbabwe Women took place on July 26, 2025, at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast, which saw Ireland register a 97-run win. Ireland scored 288 runs for 9 wickets in their 50 overs, and Zimbabwe Women were all out for 191 runs in 48.1 overs. This victory gave Ireland a strong start in the two-match ODI series, with the series decider scheduled for July 28.
Fantasy picks XI, Ireland Women vs Zimbabwe Women, 2nd ODI:
Wicketkeeper –
Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter is an Irish cricketer who plays as a wicket-keeper batter for Ireland Women. In One Day Internationals, she has played 37 matches, scoring 1020 runs with a batting average of 30. She has one ODI century and six fifties, with the highest score of 121*. She is known for her aggressive style, maintaining a strike rate of about 86.88, and is also active as a wicketkeeper with the gloves behind the stumps. She is a key player for Ireland going ahead in the series.
Batters –
Gaby Lewis
Gaby Lewis is a prominent Irish cricketer, born in Dublin. She is a right-handed batter and part-time leg-break bowler, widely regarded as one of Ireland’s leading cricket talents. Making her international debut at just 13 years old, Lewis quickly became known for her aggressive and versatile batting, and she has since played key roles both as a player and a leader. She has scored 1699 runs in ODIs with the bat including fourteen half-centuries. She is a vital cog for the Irish team going ahead.
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano is a Zimbabwean all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. She is currently the captain of the Zimbabwe women’s national team and made her international debut at age 15 during the 2008 World Cup Qualifier. Known for her consistent performances with the bat, she has been a key player for Zimbabwe, particularly in T20Is since her debut in 2019. She has scored 460 runs in 14 innings with the highest score of 71 and four half-centuries. Mugeri-Tiripano is recognized for her leadership and contributions to Zimbabwean women’s cricket.
Sarah Forbes
Sarah Forbes is an Irish cricketer who plays as a top-order right-handed batter for the Ireland women’s team in ODIs. In 17 Women’s ODIs so far, she has scored 326 runs with the highest score of 55 and an average of 19.17. Her primary contribution to the team is with the bat, and she is recognized for her steady presence in the top order. She was the highest run-scorer for Ireland in the first encounter of the series.
All-rounders –
Loreen Tshuma
Loreen Tshuma is a 28-year-old Zimbabwean all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. In her ODI career, she has played 16 matches, scoring 207 runs, with a top score of 137. With the ball, Tshuma has taken 10 wickets in 14 innings at an economy rate of 4.47, with best figures of 2/27. Tshuma’s all-round abilities and consistency make her a key player for Zimbabwe Women. She will be a key player for Zimbabwe in this series.
Orla Prendergast
Orla Prendergast is an Irish all-rounder cricketer, playing as a right-handed batter and right-arm medium bowler. In 40 Women’s ODIs, she has scored 1002 runs with a batting average of 30.36. Her highest ODI score is an unbeaten 122, and she has recorded one century along with four half-centuries. With the ball in ODIs, she has taken about 25 wickets at an average around 30.10, showcasing her abilities as a contributor with both bat and ball. She is a match winner and a perfect all-rounder.
Beloved Biza
Beloved Biza is a young Zimbabwean cricketer, who plays as a right-handed batter and right-arm medium-fast bowler, typically fulfilling an all-rounder role in the Zimbabwe women’s team. In Women’s ODIs, she has played 8 matches, scoring 216 runs with a batting average of 30.85 and the highest score of 64. With the ball, she has taken 4 wickets at an economy rate of 4.75. She is one of the key players for Zimbabwe in the series ahead.
Bowlers –
Nomvelo Sibanda
Nomvelo Sibanda is a Zimbabwean cricketer who plays primarily as a left-arm medium pace bowler for the Zimbabwe women’s national cricket team. In Women’s ODIs, she has played 18 matches, taken 16 wickets with a bowling average of 31.50 and best bowling figures of 3/41. In 12 batting innings, she has accumulated 101 runs. She is one of Zimbabwe’s key bowlers in providing breakthroughs and keeping the batters grounded.
Kelis Ndhlovu
Kelis Ndhlovu is a talented young Zimbabwean cricketer born on November 16, 2005. She is an all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin. Ndhlovu made history on her ODI debut on April 19, 2023, by taking a five-wicket haul (5/22), becoming the first Zimbabwean woman to do so in ODI cricket and the third youngest woman overall to achieve this feat. Ndhlovu has played 12 ODIs, scoring 192 runs and taking 19 wickets, with a bowling average around 17.47 and a best bowling figure of 5/22.
Cara Murray
Cara Murray is an Irish cricketer born on November 1, 2000, in Belfast. She is a right-handed batter and primarily a right-arm leg-spin bowler. Murray is known for her leg-spin bowling skills and has notable achievements, including taking the first-ever six wickets in a WODI for Ireland with figures of 6/31 against Zimbabwe in January 2024. She has also taken a five-wicket haul in ODIs (5/39 against the Netherlands). She has taken 50 wickets in ODIs and continues to impress her team with her bowling heroics.
Arlene Kelly
Arlene Kelly is an Irish cricketer born on January 8, 1994, in Auckland, New Zealand. She is a right-handed batter and right-arm medium pace bowler, playing as a bowling all-rounder. Kelly made her international debut for Ireland in June 2022 and quickly became a key player, known for her knack for taking important wickets and contributing valuable lower order runs. She has picked up 40 wickets with the ball in 32 innings with two 4-wicket hauls and has scored 392 runs in 30 innings with highest score of 35.
The pitch at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont, Belfast, is moderately batting-friendly with some help for both seam and spin bowlers. It offers a balanced contest, making for a competitive ODI game.
This Fantasy XI is formed with a sharp focus on form, career stats, and the unique challenge posed by Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont, Belfast. Make sure to lock in your teams before 3:15 PM and stay tuned for the second blockbuster encounter.
