Coming into their opening match of the Qualifier, Vanuatu – ranked 30th in the world by the ICC – faced their toughest ever challenge in their first official match against a Full Member nation. Zimbabwe – ranked 12th in the ICC women’s T20I rankings – reached the semi-final of the Qualifier for the previous T20 World Cup, beaten by Ireland who went on to qualify for the main tournament.

Vanuatu have faced financial challenges in getting to the tournament in the first place, having to crowd fund through a GoFundMe campaign to raise the money for equipment, including bats and balls. However, despite their difficulties, they delivered a momentous result in their first match.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first, but were bowled out for 61 in 13.3 overs. Nasimana Navaika took four wickets for 13 runs in her four overs, including Josephine Nkomo and Pellagia Mujaji in the same over. 

In response, Vanuatu lost an early wicket when Rachel Andrew was out off the first ball of the fourth over. However, completing an all-round performance Navaika struck 21 runs off 36 balls, but was bowled by Audrey Mazvishaya with Vanuatu four runs short of their target.

Carlot hit the winning runs off the third ball of the 17th over, under edging through backward square-leg and through the fielder. Raucous scenes of celebration followed, with the waiting Vanuatu players running onto the pitch with national flags to embrace the batters in the middle.

Vanuatu’s next match will be against the Netherlands tomorrow (April 27th).

Watch: Vanuatu women beat Zimbabwe in historic result

I’M NOT CRYING YOU ARE. @vanuatu_cricket WHAT A WIN. SO PROUD OF THE GIRLS🤍👏#CricketTwitter #T20WCQ2024 pic.twitter.com/wPv2POQcV5

— Krithika (@krithika0808) April 25, 2024