adminNgoni Dapira Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE women’s cricket captain, Chipo Mugeri, is optimistic about qualification for the 2016 International Cricket Council World Twenty20 to be held in India in March. The Mountaineers duo of Mugeri and Pelagia Mujaji are part of the 14-member squad currently in Thailand where they will have to first win at the global qualifiers that will kick off tomorrow (Saturday).
Zimbabwe represents Africa after finishing top at the continental qualifiers in Benoni, South Africa last year and will be bidding to qualify for the global showcase for the first time after finishing fifth at the 2013 qualifiers in Ireland.
South Africa has already qualified for the global showcase. Zimbabwe has been pitted in Pool B comprising Ireland, Netherlands and China, while Pool A comprises of the hosts, Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guinea. They will first take on China tomorrow, with the top two teams in each group proceeding to the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament next year.
Zimbabwe women’s cricket manager, Caroline Nyamande on Tuesday said the side arrived safely on Sunday and morale in the camp was high despite losing the two friendly matches against Bangladesh last week. She said confidence was, however, built up on Monday after defeating the hosts by six wickets with 32 balls to spare in a warm-up match.
The top order batter Mugeri, who is by far the best batting talent in the team, on Monday proved how she is promising to be a menace at the qualifiers when she scored the highest runs of 32 not out, while versatile all-rounder, Loreen Tshuma had three wickets to her name.
The team was expected to play two more warm-up matches on Tuesday and Wednesday against an Asian select team and Scotland respectively. “Morale in the camp is high and the team is fired up to sail through. It will not be easy, but we now have the experience after coming out fifth in 2013 and we will use that experience. Most of the girls were part of that 2013 squad and their experience will count,” said Nyamande.
Mugeri said the win against Thailand was a sign that the feat ahead was achievable.
“Defeating the hosts with 32 balls to spare was the morale booster we needed after our defeats in Bangladesh. The spirits are high and we will perfect ourselves in the other two warm up matches before the tournament gets underway. I am happy as the captain that I am just able to play my part and steer the team to victory,” said the skipper.
Online Reporter