Andrew
Sports Reporter
The Lady Chevrons fell to their second defeat to Bangladesh at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
They have now ultimately lost the three ODI series against the visitors.
The Lady Chevrons have been using the ODI series to wrap up their preparations for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers scheduled for next month in Harare.
Having lost the first ODI by eight wickets on Wednesday, the hosts were again found wanting yesterday as they succumbed to a nine-wicket defeat to give the tourists a two-nil series lead going into Tuesday’s third and final ODI.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first.
However, opening batter Sharne Mayers was sent back to the pavilion by the first ball after being caught by Mostary from Jahanara Alam’s first delivery of the match.
Next to be dismissed for a duck for the hosts was Ashley Ndiraya, who was bowled out in the second over after facing only three deliveries.
All eyes were now on captain Mary Anne Musonda to steady the batting order, but unfortunately the ICC Women Player of the Month nominee found the going tough as she was sent packing in the sixth over with only 10 runs to her name from 14 balls.
Bangladesh completed the demolition of Zimbabwe’s top order in the 15th, 17th and 20th overs with the dismissals of Christabel Chatonzwa, Modestter Mupachikwa and Loreen Tshuma to leave Zimbabwe on 71 for the loss of seven wickets.
All-rounder Nyasha Gwanzura gave Zimbabwe some hope as she posted 35 runs off 80 deliveries to ensure they passed the 100-run mark.
It was the only meaningful contribution from Zimbabwe’s batters, who were bowled out for 121 runs in 46,4 overs.
Bangladesh chased the total in 24,3 overs for the loss of one wicket, thanks to Murshida Khatun and Fargana Hoque who hit half centuries to ensure the visitors sealed a series victory.
After being bowled out in the first game of the series for 48 runs in 23.2 overs, another low score by the team did not go down well with Lady Chevrons coach Adam Chifo, who blamed his top order for letting the team down.
“I think pretty much like the first game we are not applying ourselves in terms of batting.
“To see number eight and nine batting for 20 overs while our top five are sitting up in the pavilion says a lot about our top order,” he said.
“Obviously this shows that if we get a game like this we need to apply ourselves and there are no shortcuts anywhere. Our top four guys need to bat for as long as they can and they need to put runs on the board, and this is the platform, and if they don’t do that, then they can’t leave it to the lower batters, but otherwise the biggest lesson is our top-order guys need to step up.”
Online Reporter