Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT is just not clicking for Zimbabwe Women’s cricket side.
The Lady Chevrons suffered a third loss on the bounce at the on-going ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, falling to Scotland by five wickets yesterday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Zimbabwe struggled to find form and were all out for 101 in 18.4 overs.
Needing a victory in their remaining two matches to stay in contention, the Lady Chevrons failed to live up to expectations.
An early wicket collapse left the Lady Chevrons reeling, with Chipo Mugeri Tiripano and Beloved Biza contributing a measly eight runs each.
Modester Mupachikwa was Zimbabwe’s top scorer with 30 runs off 40 deliveries, but her efforts were hampered by a lack of partnerships.
Chiedza Dhururu added 22 runs, while Kelis Ndlovu scored 11 before falling to a run-out.
Meanwhile, the trio of Loreen Tshuma, Adel Zimunhu and Audrey Mazvishaya lost their wickets with no runs on the board.
Kathryn Bryce, Rachel Slater and Abtaha Maqsood claimed two wickets each in a demolition attack that rendered down the Zimbabwean batters.
With a paltry 101 runs to defend on the board, the bowling attack found the going difficult as Scotland chased down the target with ease.
Katherine Fraser helped Scottland with a stable opening posting 44 runs off 30 deliveries.
Her partnership with Kathryn Bryce came in handy as Bryce posted 23 runs off 13 balls before being bowled out by Loreen Tshuma.
Their contribution was enough to do the damage to a struggling Zimbabwean side.
Tshuma, who was outstanding with the ball for Zimbabwe, walked out with three wickets but no meaningful contribution.
This was the first competitive meeting between the two sides, and Zimbabwe will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing start to the tournament as they go into their final match against Nepal.
The Lady Chevrons’ previous losses came against the Netherlands and Thailand, and they’ll need to regroup quickly to get back on track in the competition with their campaign dashed in jeopardy.
Prior to the game, Chawaguta told Zimpapers Sports that he was seeking to be aggressive with the bat which his charges failed dismally.
“We will look to exploit that weakness with a predominantly spin attack but we also need to be more aggressive in our batting, especially in the power play. We have been too passive,” said Chawaguta before the game.
