Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo,Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE senior women’s national cricket team flexed their muscles with a commanding 10-wickets victory over Sierra Leone in their second match at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Division One at FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Monday morning.
This was the Lady Chevrons’ second statement victory having opened with a 32 runs win over the hosts, Namibia on Sunday.
Against Sierra Leone, the Lady Chevrons were asked to field first. They restricted their opponents to just 93/9 in 20 overs and didn’t break any sweat in their chase, reaching the target in just 12 overs, finishing on 94/0.
Zimbabwean bowlers restricted Sierra Leone’s batters from having any meaningful partnerships, getting wickets regularly.
All-rounder Josephine Nkomo starred with the ball for the Walter Chawaguta mentored Lady Chevrons side, picking up three wickets for 27 runs in her four-over spell. Nyasha Gwanzura finished with figures of 2/14 in four overs while Francisca Chipare, Lindokuhle Mabhera and Loreen Tshuma picked up one wicket each.
Celina Bull top scored for Sierra Leone with 26 runs off 34 deliveries. She was the only batter that managed to reach double figures.
The Lady Chevrons had a slow start with the bat but managed to accelerate after the powerplay. Modester Mupachikwa top scored with 51 runs off 40 balls, her third WT20I half century. She hit seven boundaries. Her opening partner, Kelis Ndhlovu made 39 runs from 32 deliveries.
Zimbabwe face Nigeria in their last Group A game on Wednesday.
The regional tournament offers a ticket to the global qualifier in Nepal next year which then serves as the direct qualifier to the World Cup in England and Wales.
The other group in the tournament consists of Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda. The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals scheduled for 4 September, with the two finalists qualifying for the global qualifier.
Bongani Ndlovu