Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST days after an ODI series whitewash, Zimbabwe Women face a daunting task when the three-match T20I series against Pakistan begins today at the National Stadium.
The Lady Chevrons are still nursing deep wounds from that 3-0 whitewash in which Pakistan recorded their biggest-ever ODI win, a 206-run hammering in the second match.
Opening batter Gull Feroza was the chief tormentor, smashing consecutive centuries, including the fastest ODI hundred by a Pakistan woman, reaching the milestone in just 83 balls.
Together with Sadaf Shamas, Feroza piled on 571 runs across the three ODIs, the highest partnership aggregate in any bilateral women’s ODI series.
For the Lady Chevrons, the sole silver lining was teenager Beloved Biza, who showed rare composure with the bat.
Captain Nomvelo Sibanda now hopes her side can reset in the shorter format.
“T20 is different,” Sibanda said.
“One partnership, one over can change everything.”
The rankings gap remains stark.
Pakistan sit 8th in ICC women’s T20 rankings with 216 rating points, while Zimbabwe languishes at 16th with 123.
However, Pakistan’s recent T20 form offers a sliver of hope, they lost a home series to South Africa 2-1.
National Stadium statistics also suggest modest totals can be defended, with average first and second innings scores sitting at 130 and 131 respectively.
Sibanda’s off-spin will be key to any unlikely upset, particularly against in-form Feroza.
How Zimbabwe’s middle order handles left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, who rarely leaks runs, may decide whether these T20Is are competitive or another procession.
The second T20I follows on May 14, with the third on May 15.
