Irene van Zyl to lead Namibia in Kwibuka T20 tournament

Veteran allrounder Irene van Zyl will lead Namibia in the Kwibuka T20 tournament in Rwanda beginning on June 6. The board announced a strong 14-member squad that will depart for Kigali on June 4.



Merzerly Gorases is the only uncapped played in the squad.



Senior batter Yasmeen Khan who led the side during their last international assignment, the T20 World Cup global qualifiers in Scotland in 2019, has retained her position in team. She will play a key role with the bat alongside Andri van der Merwe, Kayleen Green, Arrasta Diergaardt and Sune Wittmann.



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With the ball, Namibia have stuck to their strengths, picking a seam heavy bowling contingent for the tournament. Sylvia Shihepo, the team's highest wicket taker in T20Is with 25 scalps to her credit, will spearhead the attack along with Green and van Zyl.



Namibia will face hosts Rwanda, Uganda, Botswana and Nigeria in what will be their first experience of the Kwibuka T20 tournament. Considering their experience on the world stage, they will enter as favourites, followed closely by Uganda.



The tournament will mark Namibia's return to international cricket after a period of close to 21 months. It will also be an opportunity for head coach Francois van der Merwe to get a good look at his charges for the first time since taking over in August 2020.



Squad: Irene van Zyl (c), Yasmeen Khan, Arrasta Diergaardt, Kayleen Green, Adri van der Merwe, Reehana Khan, Didi Foerster, Wilka Mwatile, Sylvia Shihepo, Sune Wittmann, Shiwomwenyo Namusha, Victoria Hamunyla, Edelle van Zyl, Mezerly Gorases