Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
IT will be a repeat of the 2019 final when Zimbabwe clash with Namibia in the decider of this year’s International Cricket Council Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Africa Qualifier at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval this afternoon.
The winner of today’s final will get to qualify for the 2022 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier
Zimbabwe won the 2019 final by 50 runs at Harare Sports Club to qualify for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier held in Scotland. The Lady Chevrons were however not able to travel to Scotland as their place at that tournament was to be taken by Namibia after Zimbabwe had their membership suspended by the ICC.
Having topped their group with five wins out of five, Zimbabwe then defeated Uganda by 14 runs while Namibia saw off Tanzania by two wickets to make it to the final.
Mary-Anne Musonda, the Lady Chevrons captain said they were counting on their success in the six matches they have played so far and won.
“We are glad to be in the finals. We came here to take the tournament a game a time. Having been successful thus far has given us confidence in our strategies and game plans. Hence going into finals, we are in a good space to still trust our processes and skills as a team and as individuals, re-do the right things we have been doing and enjoy every moment of it,’’ Musonda said.
Asked if they were going out for revenge against Namibia “No not really, this isn’t the context of revenge. If we’re to talk about any ill-feelings, Namibia will not be a part of that conversation. We will just play our best cricket and take it a moment at a time.”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe’s men team will look to win the three-match series against Scotland with a win when the two teams collide at The Grange Club in Edinburgh this afternoon. Scotland won the first T20I by sevens on Wednesday before Zimbabwe came back to win the second by 10 runs last Friday.
It has been a tour filled with ups and downs for Zimbabwe. The Chevrons were beaten 3-2 by Ireland in the five-match T20I series before the three ODI contest ended 1-1 after the second match produced a no result. — @Mdawini_29
Bongani Ndlovu