Zimbabwe & Namibia qualify for ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka

Zimbabwe and Namibia join South Africa from the African region in ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Zimbabwe and Namibia’s cricket teams have qualified for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka next year. Both countries advanced to the final stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Final 2025-26, which took place in Zimbabwe this week.

While Namibia defeated Tanzania in the first semi-final, hosts Zimbabwe defeated Kenya in the second semi-final in Harare, with both high-octane matches taking place on Thursday, October 2. South Africa is the third African team in the next year’s T20 World Cup, having qualified directly.

Zimbabwe bowlers restricted the Kenyan batter to just 122/6 in 20 overs, with Rakep Patel scoring 65. In response, Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets as Brian Bennett made 51. Bennett and fellow opener Tadiwanashe Marumani smashed 70 together in the first six overs. Marumani made 39 runs in 27 balls.

Namibia joins Zimbabwe and South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026

Namibia will be making their fourth appearance in the ICC T20 World Cup as they defeated Tanzania to qualify for the ICC event next year. Namibia were asked to bat first by Tanzania and posted 174/6 in 20 overs as Ally Kimote rocked their middle order with two wickets. But, captain Gerhard Erasmus (55) and JJ Smit (61*) rescued them after opener Malan Kruger had made 28 runs.

In response, despite Abhik Patwa’s 31 and Mukesh Suthar’s 24, Tanzania was restricted to 111/8 in 20 overs, as Namibia bowlers excelled. JJ Smit starred with the ball as well, taking 3/16, while Ben Shikongo took 3/21. Namibia defeated Tanzania by 63 runs to qualify for the next year’s ICC T20 World Cup.

Zimbabwe and Namibia will now face off in the final of the T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifiers in Harare on October 4th.

With Zimbabwe and Namibia’s recent qualification, only three spaces are left to fill the 20-team ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The three teams will be chosen by the forthcoming Asia-EAP Qualifier 2025 in Oman, which will be held between October 8 and October 17 later this month.

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