A decade and two months afterthe Zimbabwe Cricket women made their international debut, the game still hasn’t shown sign of progression at any level.

By now, ZC women would have been significantly dominating the African continent; being thereabouts with South Africa and perhaps being a threat enough to cause major disappointments on the global stage.

Alas, the Zimbabwe ladies are nowhere near that, unranked and it comes as no surprise the results that have been attained in previous competitions and currently at the 2017 ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Sri Lanka.

Yesterday, Zimbabwe, 60 all out in 28,5 overs, lost by nine wickets to India who were 61-1 in just nine overs.

India were always going to be a tall order for Zimbabwe, on any day, and as expected the local ladies bowed out of the tournament with nothing much to be happy about apart from the 36-run win over Thailand.

Zimbabwe also lost to Ireland by 119 runs and to Sri Lanka by eight wickets.

While attention and wrath could be directed towards the ladies by Zimbabweans back home, the same ladies could do with a bit of sympathy for there is nothing in ZC structures, even a league, which guarantees them of regular competitive cricket.

Efforts to get a comment from ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani didn’t materialise as his mobile wasn’t reachable while ZC Women’s Coordinator, Caroline Nyamande, is with the team in Sri Lanka.

Over the years, it has been a case of ZC calling up the ladies some of them who would have been at home, without practice for months, and having them in camp ahead of a certain tour.

Last October, ZC gave contracts to 14 ladies in what was termed to be an ‘exciting era’ for the local game. However, this seems to defy logic as the ladies are given contracts where there is no league cricket or any form of tournament running to check performance.

ZC Women contracted players: Chipo Mugeri, Precious Marange, Pellagia Mujaji, Mary-Anne Musonda, Nonhlahla Nyathi, Josephine Nkomo, Loreen Tshuma, Modester Mupachikwa, Audrey Mazvishaya, Esther Mbofana, Tasmeen Granger, Nomatter Mutasa, Ashley Ndiraya and Nomvelo Sibanda.

Zimbabwe squad in Sri Lanka: Sharne Mayers (captain), Precious Marange, Esther Mbofana, Pellagia Mujaji, Modester Mupachikwa (wicketkeeper), Marry-Anne Musonda, Nomatter Mutasa, Ashley Ndiraya, Josephine Nkomo, Nonhlanhla Nyathi (wicketkeeper), Loreen Tshuma, Tasmeen Granger, Nomvelo Sibanda and Anesu Mushangwe.