Don Makanyanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe men and women’s cricket teams paid the price for their batting frailties after suffering heavy defeats in their international matches yesterday.
The familiar challenges resurfaced as the Lady Chevrons suffered a nine-wicket defeat to world champions India in their first One Day International at the Vadodara Stadium.
Moments later the men’s side also experienced a recurrent batting malfunction as they went down to Afghanistan by seven wickets in a lop-sided final of the triangular series that ended in the United Arab Emirates yesterday.
The Lady Chevrons were first on the park and they got bowled out for 197 runs after they won the toss and elected to bat first.
Despite the disappointing result, teenager Beloved Biza provided a bright spot with a fighting half-century, which stand-in captain Nomvelo Sibanda described as “something to cherish”.
The 17-year-old scored her fourth ODI half-century, becoming the second-youngest woman, after England’s Sarah Taylor, to register an ODI fifty against India at 17 years and 291 days.
Zimbabwe, who won the toss and elected to bat, made a reasonable start despite losing opener Loryn Phiri early to Kranti Gaud, who took a diving return catch after inducing a top edge.
Modester Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano helped the hosts reach 46 for one in the first powerplay before India’s spinners began to tighten their grip.
Mupachikwa, who benefited from a dropped catch, struggled to maintain her early momentum and eventually fell for 25 off 43 balls while attempting to attack left-arm spinner N Shree Charani.
Biza attempted to steady the innings but received little support as wickets continued to fall.
At 140 for six in the 36th over, Zimbabwe were in danger of folding cheaply before Michelle Mavunga injected some momentum with a brisk 29 off 23 deliveries.
Mavunga struck boundaries, including a six over deep midwicket, but her counterattack ended when Charani had her caught at long-on.
Biza continued to battle before falling to Gaud, who shared seven wickets with Charani as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 197.
Sibanda admitted Zimbabwe fell well short with the bat and were let down by inconsistent bowling and missed chances.
“We didn’t bat as well as we wanted. We were 100 runs short. And then we put down chances
“India batters were aggressive and we didn’t bowl consistently, but our spinners pulled it back nicely,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda said the flatter pitches demanded greater discipline from Zimbabwe’s bowlers.
“The pitches are flatter, as bowlers we have to hustle and hit that good length,” she said.
India made light work of the chase, racing to 48 without loss in the first five overs as Zimbabwe struggled to contain Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal.
Mandhana and Rawal added 94 for the opening wicket before the Indian captain fell to Olinder Chare’s leg-spin.
However, Shafali Verma accelerated the scoring rate, smashing 64 not out off just 33 balls, including a half-century off 29 deliveries.
Rawal anchored the chase with an unbeaten 100 off 96 balls, completing her third ODI century as India reached 198 for one to seal a comprehensive victory.
Moments later, the men’s team featured in the triangular final where they folded for 169 runs after winning the toss. The top order struggles haunted them again yesterday as they found themselves three wickets down inside the powerplay overs, in a repeat of the previous two games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Captain Sikandar Raza made a decent contribution with the bat with his 68 runs. But the Zimbabwe batters could not build strong partnerships.
Afghanistan’s spin wizard Rashid Khan again rattled the Zimbabwe line up with 3-41 while Mohammad Nabi also took two from his spin.
There were also two wickets each for Bilal Sami and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Afghanistan made light work of the chase, reaching 170/3 in 34.3 overs. Ibrahim Zadran top scored with an unbeaten 70. Rising star Newman Nyamhuri, who returned from injury yesterday, took two wickets for Zimbabwe.
