Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe women national cricket team started their preparatory quadrangular series on a high note after they won their first match on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.
The Lady Chevrons, who are using the series as preparation for the World Cup qualifiers, beat USA by five wickets in their first game of the series.
Bowling first, the Zimbabwe ladies bowled out USA for 111 in 19.3 overs. Left arm seamer Nomvelo Sibanda was the pick of the bowlers after she registered figures of 3-20 in her four overs.
Sixteen-year-old all-rounder Kelis Ndhlovu took one wicket for 13 runs and Josephine Nkomo had the third best bowling figures of 0-10. The other six wickets that fell for the USA were run outs.
In-form Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano top scored for the Lady Chevrons in their run chase. She scored 37 runs, Josephine Nkomo scored an unbeaten 26 runs and Kelis Ndhlovu also remained unbeaten on 17 runs to lead Zimbabwe to a win.
Isani Vaghela was the pick of the bowlers for the Americans as she took two wickets for just nine runs and Taranum Chopra also took two wickets for 17 runs.
For her 3-20, Nomvelo Sibanda was voted Player of The Match.
In the other match, Thailand women beat the hosts the United Arab Emirates by five wickets after successfully chasing down 105.
Thailand chased the target in just over 17 overs.
After the series, Zimbabwe will participate in T20 World Cup Qualifiers where they are in Group B with Thailand, Papua New Guinea and the hosts, UAE.
The qualifiers are scheduled for 18 September.
Online Reporter