adminTHE Lady Chevrons came agonisingly short in their bid to qualify for the ICC T20 World Cup during the qualifier in the United Arab Emirates.
With only two countries, from the eight at the qualifier, booking a place at the World Cup, the Zimbabweans saw their impressive campaign end with only a bronze medal to show for their spirited efforts.
Records will show that the Lady Chevrons finished third, after their seven-run win over Thailand and that means they were the best team, among the rest who failed to book a place at the World Cup.
A defeat to Ireland, in the semi-final, destroyed their dreams and they joined the spectator crew as the Irish took on Bangladesh for the title, with the two teams having already secured a place at the World Cup.
In the end, it was Bangladesh who triumphed, in a close contest, in which they posted 120/8 and restricted Ireland to 113/9.
As the Lady Chevrons head home, they can only wonder how they self-destructed and blew away a golden chance to play at the World Cup, which was seemingly in their grasp.
For goodness sake, they should never have lost against Ireland in that crucial semi-final.
Their messy fielding helped the Irish find runs, which should never have been part of their tally and, rather than pursue an average target, the Lady Chevrons found themselves chasing a tough total of 137/6.
One over went for 20 as the Zimbabweans lost the composure, which had been a huge part of their game during this campaign, and provided their opponents with a helping hand.
To their credit, despite the tough target, the Lady Chevrons fought until the very last ball of the contest.
They found themselves needing a six, from the last delivery, for them to go to the final, and the World Cup, at the expense of the Irish.
But, under intense pressure, they could only squeeze one run and the Irish celebrated their place at the World Cup.
It was a heartbreaking loss and this will haunt the Lady Chevrons for some time.
They know the ticket to the World Cup was there for the taking and they blew that opportunity which would have been a game-changer for our cricket.
What isn’t in denial is that our cricket is a game which is on the right path, and ticking all the boxes, in both the men and women sectors.
Qualification for the World Cup would have been a big deal for women’s cricket in this country because the Lady Chevrons’ appearance at the showcase would have sent interest in the game, among many young women, exploding through the roof.
But, we shouldn’t be distracted by this failed campaign.
Instead, we should even double the efforts we have been making to try and ensure that there is growth in women’s cricket and the Lady Chevrons continue to be very competitive.
We have a team and a game on the move and we have to keep working very hard.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter