adminNgoni Dapira Sports Correspondent
THE Mountaineers duo of skipper Chipo Mugeri and Pellagia Mujaji were instrumental in the Zimbabwe women’s cricket team third-place finish last Saturday at the International Cricket Council Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier Trophy play-off in Thailand.
Zimbabwe beat Scotland by three wickets to secure a third place finish.
Captain Mugeri as usual inspired the side with an impressive all-round feat after she took two wickets for 17-runs in four overs and then scored 47-runs not out off 59 balls, to guide Zimbabwe to victory.
In the process, she earned herself the player of the match award for the second time at the tournament after having received the award in the match against Netherlands that saw them through to the semi-finals.
Mugeri was helped in the chase by Mujaji, who became the second top-scorer for Zimbabwe with 18-runs from 34 balls in the match.
The elated Mugeri on Monday evening upon arrival back home said she was just elated that she had played her part as the captain to lead the team and put Zimbabwe women’s cricket on the map.
She added that though they had failed to qualify for 2016 ICC Women’s World Twenty20, the fact that each year the side was progressing to a different level was comfort to them.
“It was our first time to be in the semi-finals and also to finish third at the qualifiers so to us it was a great achievement. On fielding we were also rated the best fielding side at the tournament which was another positive. I feel good things are in tow for Zimbabwe women’s cricket and next time we will qualify for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20,” said Mugeri.
The skipper, whose light keeps shining in the cricket domain, also wrote her own history after finishing fourth on the leading runs scorers at the tournament.
She however said the play-off match against Scotland tested their character as a team.
Earlier, Scotland had made 94 runs for four wickets in their allotted 20 overs, after Zimbabwe had won the toss and sent them in to bat.
Openers Fiona Urquhart and Rachel Scholes put up 19 runs each and number three Kari Anderson and number four Elizabeth Priddle 17 runs each.
“It took real character to score 14 runs that were needed in the last over of the match while our 51 partnership with Mujaji also helped a lot,” said Mugeri.
Online Reporter