Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
TWO games, two wins and growing confidence. The Lady Chevrons stormed to a commanding 10-wicket victory over Sierra Leone yesterday, keeping their campaign firmly on track at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Division One in Windhoek.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers restricted Sierra Leone to 93 for nine in 20 overs, before the openers chased down the target in just 12 overs, finishing on 94 without loss at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground.
Captain Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano was pleased with the clinical display but admitted there was still room for improvement.
“We’ve done well in this game. There are areas we’re concerned about — we didn’t bowl and field particularly well.
Our openers gave us a good platform; we need to keep trying to score as many as we can in the powerplay. We played as a team, and we’ll take a 10-wicket win any day. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received — please keep coming, we need your support,” she said.
Player of the Match Nyasha Gwanzura, credited her teammates and disciplined bowling for the win.
“It was a good game. Getting support from my teammates and being able to play good strokes was key. Sticking to the basics and bowling straight helps and the rest will follow,” she said.
This emphatic win followed Zimbabwe’s 32-run victory over hosts Namibia on Sunday. Against Sierra Leone, the Lady Chevrons were sent in to field and never lost control, taking wickets regularly to prevent any meaningful partnerships.
All-rounder Josephine Nkomo ,led the attack with three wickets for 27 runs in her four overs. Gwanzura backed up her batting heroics with two for 14, while Francisca Chipare, Lindokuhle Mabhero, and Loreen Tshuma chipped in with one wicket each. Only Celina Bull offered resistance for Sierra Leone, scoring 26 from 34 balls.
With the bat, Zimbabwe started steadily before accelerating after the powerplay. Opener Modester Mupachikwa, anchored the chase with an unbeaten 51 from 40 deliveries — her third WT20I half-century — striking seven boundaries. Kelis Ndhlovu supported with 39 off 32 balls.
Next up is Nigeria on Wednesday in their final Group A match. Victory would guarantee a semi-final place and move them closer to the global qualifier in Nepal next year, which will determine who goes to the Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.
Group B features Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals on September 4. The finalists will both earn a ticket to the global qualifier.
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