Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE numbers from New Zealand are hard to look at.
The Zimbabwe women’s cricket team went there and lost all three one-day internationals.
In the final match, they were bowled out for just 103 runs, while trying to chase 304. Amelia Kerr took a hat-trick to finish the series 3-0. Now the team heads to Pakistan. It is their first trip there. And it feels like a second chance.
In the first Twenty20 match, New Zealand scored 202 runs and lost only one wicket. Zimbabwe could only manage 110 for four. Veteran players like Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (20 runs) and Josephine Nkomo (25) tried to hold things together, but the target was always too far away.
The one-day games were even harder. Kerr and the other bowlers cut through Zimbabwe’s batting order with ease. Across the three matches, the batters could not build the partnerships they needed.
The only good news came from the lower order. But against a team getting ready for a World Cup, that was never enough. But calling the tour a waste misses the point.
Those losses show what needs fixing. The same problems that appeared during a heartbreaking defeat to Nepal earlier this year must be healed. And that takes games like these.
From May 3 in Karachi, the teams will play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s. It is the first time Zimbabwe’s women have played in Pakistan. This time, the story is different. New Zealand is a top team aiming for the T20 World Cup in England (June 12 to July 5). Pakistan is a direct rival in the ICC Women’s Championship standings.
The ODI series matters a lot. It is part of the 2025-2029 championship cycle.
That means these games affect who gets to future World Cups. Pakistan is in the middle of the table right now.
Zimbabwe has zero points after the New Zealand whitewash. This is their chance to finally score some.
Head coach Kate Ebrahim spoke after the New Zealand losses.
“It’s obviously been a challenging series, but as we have said from the start, this has been massive learning and a step up for our ladies in all areas of their game. We’ve been very proud of the girls.”
Ebrahim noted some small positives.
“When we have broken down the games, there is been some really good individual performances and team moments in amongst the lost results. Ensuring that we’re still working hard in our training room is really important.”
