Three consecutive defeats for Zimbabwe at ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup

Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE lost a third consecutive match at the inaugural International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Women’s Twenty20 World Cup after losing by 10 wickets at the hands of Pakistan at North-West University Ground, Potchefstroom, South Africa yesterday.

Batting first, the Young Lady Chevrons could only manage 97-6 in their 20 overs and Pakistan chased down the target without losing a wicket, finishing on 100-0 in 10.5 overs to hand Zimbabwe their third straight defeat and are therefore coming back home without tasting victory.

Captain, Kelis Ndhlovu put up a brilliant innings for the first time in the tournament, top scoring for Zimbabwe with 42 runs off 35 deliveries. Adel Zimunu was the team’s second leading run getter finishing with 13 runs off 22 balls while Kay Ndiraya chipped in with 11 off 24.

Natasha Mtomba was the only other batter to cross double figures for Zimbabwe as she finished with 10 runs while all the others recorded single figures.

Anosha Nasir took two wickets for Pakistan as Areesha Noor and Laiba Nasir took one each. Nasir went for 21 runs in her four overs while the other wicket takers, Noor and Laiba Nasir conceded 14 and 11 runs respectively.
With the bat for Pakistan, Eyman Fatima proved lethal, scoring 65 runs not out in 35 deliveries. Her innings was made up of 10 fours and two sixes. Her opening partner, Shawaal Zulfiqar finished with 32 runs off 30 balls, scoring six fours as they showed dominance over Zimbabwe.

In two overs, Chipo Moyo conceded 29 runs while Olinder Chare went for 28 in three overs. Ndhlovu conceded 27 runs in 3.5 overs as her side crashed out of the tournament.

The defeat meant that Zimbabwe will come back home without a single victory having lost all their group matches. They needed a top three finish in the group stage to progress to the next round of the tournament which is the Super Six which will have two pools.
Zimbabwe were in Group B alongside England who finished on top with six points followed by Pakistan with four and Rwanda on two points. — @brandon_malvin