Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Lady Chevrons made history at Harare Sports Club yesterday after securing their first-ever victory in the ICC Women’s Championship, defeating West Indies by four wickets in a landmark second ODI.
The historic win also marked Zimbabwe’s maiden victory in an ICC Women’s Championship match, under-lining the significance of their ongoing three-match ODI series against the Caribbean side.
Having lost the opening ODI, Zimbabwe responded with a commanding bowling performance after West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first.
The visitors struggled to build partnerships and were eventually bowled out for just 139 runs in 39.3 overs, with Zimbabwe’s attack producing its most decisive performance of the series.
Nyasha Gwanzura led the charge with an impressive four-wicket haul for 33 runs from her 10 overs, while Michelle Mavunga claimed three wickets for 36 runs from eight overs.
Francisca Chipare also played a key role with two wickets for 16 runs in six overs as the Lady Chevrons dismantled the West Indies batting line-up.
Zimbabwe then completed the historic chase, reaching 140 for six to seal a four-wicket victory with 55 balls remaining.
The hosts made a strong start through Modester Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano before losing wickets in the middle overs.
Mupachikwa was the first to fall with the score on 67, followed by Mugeri-Tiripano at 68 and Kelis Ndhlovu at 70.
Beloved Biza was then dismissed with Zimbabwe on 100 before Chiedza Dhururu departed at 105, leaving the hosts needing to negotiate the final stages of the chase.
Captain Josephine Nkomo was the sixth wicket to fall with the score on 133, but Zimbabwe had already moved within touching distance of a historic victory. They completed the chase without further damage to secure a four-wicket win and, in the process, wrote a new chapter in Zimbabwe women’s cricket.
The result gives the Lady Chevrons their first ICC Women’s Championship victory since entering the com-petition and provides a major boost to their campaign. The win also comes during Zimbabwe’s first-ever home Future Tours Programme series, adding further significance to a landmark moment for the Lady Chevrons.
With the three-match ODI series now level at 1-1, Zimbabwe will look to complete a historic series triumph when the two sides meet in the final ODI on Wednesday.
